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HomeMy WebLinkAbout422 In-Car RecordersIowa City Police Department Policy Manual In -Car Recorders Effective Date: 11 /06/2024 Revised Date: Issuing Authority: Chief Dustin Liston 422.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The Iowa City Police Department has equipped all marked patrol vehicles with an In -Car Video recording systems to provide records of events and to assist officers in the performance of their duties. This policy provides guidance on the use of these systems. 422.1.1 DEFINITIONS Definitions related to this policy include: Activate - Any process that causes the system to initiate a recording. In -car camera system and In -Car system - Synonymous terms that refer to any system that captures audio and video signals, that is capable of installation in a vehicle, and that includes at a minimum, a camera, microphone, recorder and monitor. Systems Analyst - Personnel certified or trained in the operational use and repair of In -Car Video Systems, duplicating methods and storage and retrieval methods and who have a working knowledge of video forensics and evidentiary procedures. Recorded media - Audio/video signals recorded or digitally stored on a storage device or portable media. 422.2 POLICY It is the policy of the Iowa City Police Department that all members serving a patrol function be required to use recording devices to collect evidence and document interactions between officers and the public. Only approved equipment will be used by department members and usage shall comply with the manufacturer's instructions. All videos are the property of the Iowa City Police Department. Any distribution of a video or portion of a video shall only be done with the authorization of the Chief of Police or his/her designee. The unauthorized playing or copying of any video is prohibited. 422.3 OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES Prior to going into service, each officer will properly equip him/herself to record audio and video in the field. At the end of the shift, each officer will follow the established procedures for providing to the Department any recordings or used media and any other related equipment. Each device should have adequate data storage for the entire duty assignment. In the event an officer works at a remote location and reports in only periodically, equipment should be docked and/or uploaded at Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/12/14, All Rights Reserved. In -Car Recorders - 1 Published with permission by Iowa City Police Department Iowa City Police Department Policy Manual In -Car Recorders the police department on a routine basis. Only Iowa City Police Department identified and labeled media with tracking numbers is to be used. At the start of each shift, officers shall test the In -Car Video system's operation in accordance with manufacturer specifications and department operating procedures and training. Officers shall log into the recording systems with their name prior to going in service. If the system is malfunctioning, the officer shall complete the Inventory Checklist and take the vehicle out of service unless a supervisor requests the vehicle remain in service. 422.4 ACTIVATION OF THE IN -CAR VIDEO The In -Car Video system is designed to turn on whenever the vehicle's emergency lights are activated. The system remains on until it is turned off manually. 422.4.1 REQUIRED ACTIVATION OF THE IN -CAR VIDEO This policy is not intended to describe every possible situation in which the In -Car Video system should be used, although there are many situations where its use is appropriate. officer The In -Car Video system shall be activated in any of the following situations: (a) All enforcement and investigative contacts including stops, field interviews situations, and parking violations even if there is no interaction with the public. (b) Traffic stops including, but not limited to, traffic violations, stranded motorist assistance, and all crime interdiction stops. (c) Self -initiated activity in which an officer would normally notify the Joint Emergency Communications Center (JECC). (d) Any other contact that becomes adversarial after the initial contact in a situation that would not otherwise require recording. (e) Any activity that the officer is dispatched to by the JECC. (f) Any activity that would initiate an in -car recording such as an elevated response with lights/sirens. (g) Any other circumstance where the officer is conducting official business or believes that a recording of an incident would be appropriate. Activation of the In -Car Video system is not required when exchanging information with other officers, during breaks or lunch periods, or when not in service or not actively on patrol. 422.4.2 CESSATION OF RECORDING Once activated, the In -Car system shall remain on until the incident has concluded and the officer has cleared the scene. 422.4.3 SURREPTITIOUS RECORDING No member of this department may surreptitiously record a conversation of any other member of this department except with a court order or when lawfully authorized by the Chief of Police or the authorized designee for the purpose of conducting a criminal or administrative investigation. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/12/14, All Rights Reserved. In -Car Recorders - 2 Published with permission by Iowa City Police Department Iowa City Police Department Policy Manual In -Car Recorders 422.4.4 SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES Supervisors should determine if vehicles with non-functioning In -Car Video systems should be placed into service. If these vehicles are placed into service, the appropriate documentation should be made (e.g. Inventory Checklist). When an incident arises that requires the immediate retrieval of the recorded media (e.g., serious crime scenes, officer -involved shootings, department -involved traffic accidents), a supervisor shall respond to the scene, ensure that the vehicle is returned to the police department, and the appropriate person is notified of the need for video extraction and preservation. The media may need to be treated as evidence and should be handled in accordance with current evidence procedures for recorded media. 422.5 REVIEW OF IN -CAR VIDEO RECORDINGS All recording media, recorded images and audio recordings are the property of the Department and shall not be captured by or recorded on a cell phone or personal device to provide to the public. Dissemination outside of the Department is strictly prohibited, except to the extent permitted or required by law or with authorization from the Chief of Police or his/her designee. To prevent damage to, or alteration of, the original recorded media, it shall not be copied, viewed or otherwise inserted into any device not approved by the Department, In -Car Video system technician or forensic media staff. When reasonably possible, a copy of the original media shall be used for viewing (unless otherwise directed by the courts) to preserve the original media. Recordings may be reviewed in any of the following situations: (a) By officers for use when preparing reports or statements (b) By a supervisor investigating a specific act of officer conduct (c) By a supervisor to assess officer performance (d) To assess proper functioning of In -Car Video systems (e) By department investigators who are participating in an official investigation, such as a personnel complaint, administrative inquiry or a criminal investigation (f) By department personnel who request to review recordings (g) By the City Attorney's Office and City Manager's Office for review of ongoing or past incidents (h) By an officer who is captured on or referenced in the video or audio data, and reviews and uses such data for any purpose relating to his/her employment (i) By court personnel through proper process or with the permission of the Chief of Police or the authorized designee (j) By the media through proper process (k) To assess possible training value Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/12/14, All Rights Reserved. In -Car Recorders - 3 Published with permission by Iowa City Police Department Iowa City Police Department Policy Manual In -Car Recorders (1) For training purposes. If an involved officer objects to showing a recording, his/her objection will be submitted to the command staff to determine if the training value outweighs the officer's objection. (m) As may be directed by the Chief of Police or the authorized designee In no event shall any recording be used or shown for the purpose of ridiculing or embarrassing any individual. 422.6 DOCUMENTING IN -CAR VIDEO USE If any incident is recorded with either the video or audio system, the existence of that recording should be documented in the officer's report. 422.7 RECORDING MEDIA STORAGE AND INTEGRITY All recording media that is not booked as evidence will be retained for a minimum of 365 days and retained in accordance with Department retention policies. 422.7.1 IN -CAR VIDEO SYSTEM RECORDINGS AS EVIDENCE Recordings should be properly classified at time of completion of recording using the classifications presented on the in -car recorder when the recording is stopped. 422.8 SYSTEM OPERATIONAL STANDARDS (a) In -Car Video system vehicle installations should be based on officer safety requirements and the vehicle and device manufacturer's recommendations. (b) The In -Car Video system should be configured to minimally record for 30 seconds prior to an event. (c) The In -Car Video system may not be configured to record audio data occurring prior to activation. (d) No member of this department shall erase, alter, reuse, modify or tamper with In -Car Video recordings. Only the Chief of Police may authorize the erasure of and reissue previous recordings and may only do so pursuant to the provisions of this policy. 422.9 IN -CAR VIDEO TECHNICIAN RESPONSIBILITIES The In -Car Video system technician is responsible for: (a) Ordering, issuing, retrieving, storing, deleting,and duplicating of all recorded media. (b) Collecting all completed media for oversight and verification of wireless downloaded media. Once collected, the In -Car Video system technician: 1. Ensures it is stored in a secure location with authorized controlled access. (c) Deletion of media: 1. Pursuant to a court order. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/12/14, All Rights Reserved. In -Car Recorders - 4 Published with permission by Iowa City Police Department Iowa ='tx Police Department f Policy Manual In -Car Recorders 2. In accordance with the established records retention schedule, including reissuing all other media deemed to be of no evidentiary value. (d) 1Managing the nn storage of media that has been deemed to be of evidentiary value in accordance with the department evidence storage protocols and the established records retention schedule. 422'10 SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES If an in -car recording was not activated where there was sufficient time to d0 Go or improperly shut off, a report of inquiry shall be completed and forwarded to command staff for review. On a monthly basis, supervisors will review 8tleast one in -car recording Ofeach employee under their supervision to ensure that the equipment is operating properly, that officers are using the devices appropriately and in accordance with policy, and to identify any areas in which additional training or guidance is required. @upan/iaona should select in -car videos that are not being reviewed for another purpose such as use offorce incidents. VVhena possible, BVVCvid8O review should be of the S@rne incident to ensure the system is synching as it is designed. By the 15th of each month, each Watch Commander, Lieutenant of Investigations and Animal Control Supervisor shall forward t0the Commander 0fField Operations the information Onthe prescribed electronic form from the previous month. 422-11 COMMAND STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES The Captain of Field Operations ahoU maintain a record Of incidents xvhenS S0p|Oy8eS did not activate an in -car recording device or inopn}p8dy shut off recording device in violation of this policy and monitor for repeats from the same employee. By March 1st of each year the Captain of Field Operations will submit 8nannual report to the City MG Office and Community Police Review Board from the previous year on compliance with this policy. This report should contain summary of the results of the rnOn[h|y supervisory checks, use of force checks, and all checks generated from internal affairs investigations. 422'12 DISCIPLINE Any employee who violates this policy will be SUhieOt to diSC[diO8 GS G|k]VVed by GSDenG| [)nd8rS 89-02 and 99-00. |Ovv@ Code Ch@pt8r4OO UU8d Civil Service, and the Contract between the City Of |OVV@ City and the Police Labor Relations C)qJ@DizBUOO Of |OVVG City. Any VDlp|Oy8e found to intentionally turn Off Or disable 8 body worn C8mSr8 when its use is required will be subject to suspension or termination as allowed by General Orders 89-02 and 99-06, Iowa Code Chapter 400 titled Civil Service, and the Contract between the City of Iowa City and the Police Labor Relations Organization of Iowa City. 422'13 TRAINING All Dl8DOb8[S who are authorized to Use the In -Car Video ovotgDl ShGU SUCCeSSfUUy CO[Op|Bie GO approved course of instruction prior to its use. Copyright Lempol,uo2024/1un4, All Rights Reserved. In -Car Recorders -5 Published with permission by Iowa City Police Department