Policy Text
Policy
355Fremont Police Department
Community Camera System
355.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The City of Fremont operates a Community Camera System for the purpose of identifying criminal
offenders and creating a safer environment for all those who live, work, and visit the City. This
policy explains the purpose of the cameras and provides guidelines for the capture, storage, and
use of the video and images.
355.2 POLICY
Community cameras, which include both IP (internet protocol or network) video cameras
and Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras, may be placed in strategic locations
throughout the City with approval of the Chief of Police. These cameras will primarily be positioned
at entrance and exit points to the City, such as freeway on-ramps and major roadways. The
Community Camera System is designed to identify and alert officers to criminal offenders and their
vehicles by positioning an ALPR camera to capture a vehicle's license plate while also positioning
an IP camera to capture physical descriptions of occupants inside the vehicle. Though there may
be instances when these cameras will be monitored in real time, the primary use will be the
historical retrieval of video and ALPR images after a crime has been reported.
The ALPR technology allows for the automated detection of license plates. It is used by the
Fremont Police Department to convert data associated with vehicle license plates for official law
enforcement purposes, including identifying stolen or wanted vehicles, stolen license plates and
missing persons. The policy of the Fremont Police Department is to utilize ALPR technology to
capture and store digital license plate data and images while recognizing the established privacy
rights of the public. Due to the fact that this data may contain investigative and confidential
information, it is not open to public review.
No person shall access any information from the Community Camera System without lawful
authority and a valid law enforcement purpose.ALPR data shall not be shared with any federal law
enforcement or any law enforcement agency personnel located outside of California.(Civil Code
§ 1798.90.55.)
355.3 RESPONSIBILITIES
It shall be the responsibility of this department to ensure that the Community Camera System
equipment is properly installed according to the manufacturer's recommendations and is directed
to record only areas in the public view.
355.3.1 COMMUNITY CAMERA SYSTEM PROJECT MANAGER RESPONSIBILITIES
The Community Camera System Project Manager shall be responsible for the following:
(a)Establish policy and procedures for the use of the Community Camera System.
(b)Oversight of the Community Camera System.
(c)Provides users access to the Community Camera System.
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Community Camera System
(d)Shall be responsible for developing guidelines and procedures to comply with the
requirements of Civil Code § 1798.90.5 et seq. This includes, but is not limited to (Civil
Code § 1798.90.51; Civil Code § 1798.90.53):
(a)A description of the job title or other designation of the members and
independent contractors who are authorized to use or access the Community
Camera and ALPR system or to collect ALPR information.
(b)Training requirements for authorized users.
(c)A description of how the Community Camera and ALPR system will be monitored
to ensure the security of the information and compliance with applicable privacy
laws.
(d)Procedures for system operators to maintain records of access in compliance
with Civil Code § 1798.90.52.
(e)The title and name of the current designee in overseeing the Community Camera
and ALPR operation.
(f)Working with the Custodian of Records on the retention and destruction of
Community Camera and ALPR data
(g)Ensuring this policy and related procedures are conspicuously posted on the
department's website.
355.3.2 IT/SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR RESPONSIBILITIES
The IT/System Administration shall be responsible for the following:
1.Work with the vendor to make changes to the Community Camera System based on
policy decisions by the Chief of Police.
2.Document all changes with a Change Control Request Form.
3.Keep Manual and Training tools up to date.
4.Ensure the system is up to date and operational with software patches.
355.3.3 SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervisor's Responsibilities:
1.The supervisor is responsible for making sure the Community Camera System is used
in accordance with departmental policy.
355.3.4 OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES
Officers shall be responsible for the following:
1.The officer may review and view video footage or still images only for legitimate law
enforcement purposes after being properly trained.
2.The officer is responsible for using the Community Camera System in accordance
with department policy.
3.The officer shall report any malfunctions, damage, or problems with the system to their
supervisor and the Community Camera System Project Manager.
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355.3.5 RECORDS RESPONSIBILITIES
The Records Unit shall be responsible for conferring with the City Attorney's office to fulfill Public
Records Act requests when it meets the criteria to release the information and Civil Code §
1798.90.55.
355.3.6 DIGITAL EVIDENCE UNIT RESPONSIBILITIES
The Digital Evidence Unit shall be responsible for fulfilling requests for recorded video images
from other government agencies or by the submission of a court order or subpoena, as long as
the request falls within the guidelines set forth by the Chief of