Policy Text
CONCORD POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
VIDEO RECORDING EQUIPMENT
GENERAL ORDER: 06.06 CREATED: December 1, 2000 ISSUE DATE: December 2, 2025
CALEA STANDARD: 41.3.8, 41.3.10, 42.2.8 EFFECTIVE DATE: December 9, 2025
ACTION: Amends general order dated August 7, 2025 .
06.06.0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this general order is to establish departmental guidelines for the use of
video recording equipment worn by officers and installed in police vehicles.
06.06.1 POLICY
Video recording equipment has proven to be a valuable law enforcement tool in the
prosecution of traffic violations and other criminal offenses, for evaluation of officer
tactics and performance, and for training purposes. In -car video cameras and body
worn cameras (BWC) shall be used only for legitimate law enforcement purposes in
accordance with applicable law and departmental guidelines.
06.06.2 VIDEO RECORDING PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
A. The Concord Police Department has approved the review of captured in -car video
and BWC video to accomplish legitimate police objectives, including but not limited
to:
1. Accurate documentation of events, actions, conditions and statements made
during investigative stops, field interviews, arrests, and critical incidents to
complete officer reports, collection of evidence, and courtroom testimony.
2. Collecting or reviewing probable cause for arrest, custody procedures, officer
and citizen interaction, and evidence for investigative purposes.
3. Evaluation of officer tactics and field performance for training purposes.
4. Enhance transparency and improve community trust in the department.
06.06.3 IN-CAR VIDEO RECORDING / USE GUIDELINES
A. Officers and supervisors shall be trained on the proper operation and use of
in-car camera equipment.
B. The care and security of in-car camera equipment is the responsibility of the officer
assigned to that vehicle and shall be maintained and operated according to the
manufacturer’s recommendations.
1. Prior to beginning a shift, the officer shall determine if the in -car camera
equipment installed in his/her assigned vehicle is working properly and shall
promptly notify his/her supervisor of any malfunction or problem.
General Order 06.06 VIDEO RECORDING EQUIPMENT Page 2 of 9
C. The in-car camera equipment is installed and designed to activate automatic ally
when the patrol car’s emergency lights are in operation.
D. When practicable officers shall use in-car camera equipment to record the actions
of citizens during field interviews, vehicle stops, field sobriety testing, traffic
direction, arrests, investigative detention, and field searches, as well as to record
crime and accident scenes or other events such as the confiscation and
documentation of evidence or contraband. At no time should the safety of the
officer or other persons be compromised in order to capture video evidence.
Officers are expected to consider vehicle positioning during traffic stops and
subject stops in order to fully frame the vehicle or person(s) involved.
1. Officers shall record audio and video of traffic stops, pursuits, eme rgency
responses, field sobriety testing, or other enforcement actions undertaken
in the field:
2. Make sure that the front in -car camera is pointed in the direction that
captures activities occurring in front of the car. The rear seat camera shall
be pointe d and secured properly for recording activities in the rear seat.
3. The in -car camera and BWC shall not be deactivated until the enforcement
action has been completed, completion of a call, or completion of a transport
to the police department or jail.
4. In-car camera equipment shall be used whenever a prisoner, witness, victim
or general citizen i s transported or otherwise placed inside the car.
E. No coworker shall have the authority to erase, reuse or in any manner alter in -
car camera recordings, except as specifically provided in this general order. All
completed recordings shall be properly labeled and classified by the officer prior
to being submitted.
F. Officers shall ensure non-police related electronic devices within the police vehicle
(AM/FM radio, CD players, auxiliary music devices) are at a volume level during
the activation o f the in -car audio system as not to interfere with the audible
recording of the event. This does not apply to police issued radios.
G. Officers may mute the in -car camera recording when no significant investigative
or law enforcement action is occurring. However, officers shall not stop the video
recording until after the investigative or law enforcement action is over.
1. Officers shall verbally confirm their intention to mute the in-car camera on
the audio portion of the system prior to it being muted.
2. Intentional deactivation of audio and/or video during incidents where the
use of the in-car camera system has been required by this general order shall
be cause for disciplinary action.
3. Officers are forbidden from uploading any video, audio, or still images
obtained on an in -car camera onto public or social