Department members may stop a recording of the body worn camera (BWC) during a required activation period with a member of the public when:
- A witness or victim refuses to provide a recorded statement and the encounter is non-confrontational;
- In the Department member’s judgment, a recording would interfere with their ability to conduct an investigation, or may be inappropriate, because of the victim or witness' physical condition, emotional state, age, or other sensitive circumstances (e.g., a victim of rape, incest, or other form of sexual assault);
- The recording would risk the safety of a confidential informant, community member informant, or undercover officer; and/or
- Inside patient-care areas of a hospital, rape treatment center, or other healthcare facility unless an enforcement action is taken in these areas.
Department members may stop a recording during a required activation period, while not engaged with a member of the public, when:
- Discussing points-of-law, tactics, or debriefing an incident with other Department members or other law enforcement agencies away from any member of the public;
- Directed to do so by an on-scene supervisor at the rank of sergeant or above;
- A deputy participating in the field training program is directed to do so for the purpose of providing instruction and/or insight in furtherance of the training mission; and/or
- Performing station details entered as a call for service, such as mail runs, message deliveries, that will not involve contacts with members of the public.
If a recording exception is utilized by a BWC-equipped Department member, they shall:
- Announce the reason for stopping the video prior to turning the BWC recording off.
- Document the deactivation reason in the metadata file for the event in the Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS); and
- Document the deactivation in any associated written report.