Policy Text
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FLORIDA CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
BODY -WORN CAMERA SYSTEM (BWC)
ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTIVE 02 -17
EFFECTIVE : 10/21/2020
REVISED : 09/25/2025
Section One
I. Policy
II. Organization
III. Responsibilities
IV. Procedures
V. Discipline
I. POLICY: The use of a body worn camera (BWC) system will provide documentation
of the interactions between Florida City Police officers and the public by video recording
evidence of actions, conditions and statements that may be used by judicial, internal
review, or by the public through a formal public records request. The primary use of
the BWC is to enhance officer safety, public safety, and promote accountability and
transparency. The equipment will allow the Department to document statements and
events during the course of an incident, enhance the police officer’s ability to
document and review statements and actions for internal reporting and preserve
visual and audio information. The Department recognizes that the BWC will not
capture exactly what an officer sees and/or hears or what an officer senses or
experiences. Footage captured by BWCs is only a portion of the encounters between
officer and individuals. The Department acknowledges that an officer’s recollection of
specific details may be different from what is captured by the BWC. Although the
BWCs do not capture an officer’s full knowledge of any particular situation, they are a
valuable officer tool to capture and preserve data.
II. ORGANIZATION : This policy shall be applicable to a ll Florida City Police Officers . The
Chief of Police will decide which member will be issued a BWC. The issuance of BWC
equipment, data access, and maintenance will be handled by the Body Worn Camera
Administration Department .
III. RESPONSIBILITIES : Any officers utilizing BWC equipment shall ensure the device is
in working order prior to starting their tour of duty and shall activate the BWC at all times
when they become involved in any official action, enforcement action, are in the custody
of or transporting a detainee, or engage in any self -initiated interactions with citizens. In
addition to the officer, Supervisors will be held strictly accountable, and subject to
disciplinary action, for any failure on a subordinate’s part to adhere to this policy.
Violati on of this policy will be addressed in accordance with progressive discipline.
IV. PROCEDURES:
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a. PRE-SHIFT INSPECTION: Prior to each shift, officers assigned a BWC will ensure
the BWC is adequately charged. Furthermore, officers will inspect their BWC
equipm ent to ensure the device is in good working order, has no visible damage and
is their assigned BWC. Any visible damage or concerns about the functionality of any
BWC equipment will be brought to the attention of the officer’s immediate supervisor
without delay via email . If an officer’s BWC is lost or discovered to be missing from
its last docked location, the officer shall notify their supervisor and the Bod y Worn
Camera Administration personnel via email immediately .
b. AUDIO / VIDEO RECORDING:
1. Wearing Position and Use of the BWC: BWCs shall be worn on
the chest using the mounting equipment issued from the Body
Worn Camera Administration Department . BWCs shall not be
mounted on another object or another position on the officer’s body.
Officers shall only wear and operate their assigned BWCs.
2. Use of and Recording with the BWC:
a. An officer assigned a BWC must wear i t in the On/Standby Mode at all times when on duty
while in uniform and operating a police vehicle to or from work/home or court, while performing
or likely to perform enforcement duties, or while performing an off-duty detail/ special event.
Officers shall be in uniform while operating a marked police vehicle to and from work, off - duty
detail/special event, or o ther function where the officer would otherwise be expected to report
in police uniform or is travelling from a function where the officer had worked in uniform. Officers
shall turn off BWC equipment while in bathrooms, however, will resume On/Standby Mode
upon exiting bathroom facilities
b. BWCs are considered a tool in the performance of law enforcement duties. Officers assigned
a BWC shall not erase, alter, modify, destroy, abuse, tamper with, or intentionally interfere
with the capabilities of the BWC equipment, including any audio/video recordings or the
device.
c. The Department recognizes that officer safety is paramount. Officers are directed to activate
their BWC immediately upon being dispatched to a call for service or engaging in a sel f-
initiated call for service. In the event that an Officer cannot safely begin recording at the time
of dispatch or upon initiating a self-directed call for service the Officer must start recording as
soon as it is safe and practical to do so. If multiple officers are on scene with a BWC, all
officers with a BWC will record. Likewise, if multiple Officers are trans porting detainees, all
off