67278588.pdf

\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER TITLE ACCREDITATION In-Car Video System Procedures CALEA 41.3.8 (a-g) PRIOR REVISIONS 09/08/09; 05/23/11 PROPONENT UNIT Patrol Operations- District 1 and 2 ATTACHMENT: NUMBER ISSUE DATE REVISION DATE TOTAL PAGE 40.12 05/13/08 07/03/19 9 I. PURPOSE: This General Order provides procedural guidelines for the use of in-car video systems, II. POLICY: Since independent audio/video accounts of interactions between police and citizens have proven to assist in the prosecution of certain traffic and other offenses investigated by law enforcement, the Gainesville Police Department will furnish, to the extent possible, in-car video systems. Members who are assigned in-car video equipment shall utilize the equipment as outlined in this procedure. All recordings shall be stored in compliance with this order for use in court proceedings, training, and other lawful purposes. [41.3.8.a] III. PROCEDURE A. Program Oversight and Accountability: 1. Video System Manager: The Video System Manager (fleet Sergeant) shall be responsible for issuing, maintaining and repairing all in-car video systems. Video System Manager duties shall include: i. Log, track, maintain and record all activity related to system issuance, repair and maintenance. The records shall include: a. Serial and City ID numbers b. The type of system c. To whom it was issued and the vehicle number of the assigned member d. All maintenance, repair, and related activities [41.3.8.e] ii. Notify, or coordinate the notification of, members when: a. Their assigned units are due for maintenance b. Their units are ready to be put back into service\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT 2. Video Custodian: The Video Custodian (Property and Evidence) shall be responsible for overall management the digital video system. The Video Custodian’s duties shall include: i. Produce copies of digital recordings upon request by the State Attorney’s Office or for Public Records Requests. ii. Public Records Requests will be provided in accordance with F.S.S. Chapter 119 iii. Annual written review of the system that is sent to the Chief of Police for their review. B. Training 1. Training lesson plans and course documentation must comply with the provisions of General Order 33.1 2. Members who are assigned in-car video systems and their supervisors must complete training provided by or approved through the Training and Education Division to ensure proper use and operation. Additional training may be required at periodic intervals to ensure the continued effective use and operation of the equipment, proper calibration and performance, and to incorporate changes, updates, or other revisions in policy and equipment. [41.3.8.f] C. Camera / Equipment Usage: Members shall use the equipment as they were trained, and in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and the provisions of this General Order. Members are responsible for all equipment issued to them. 1. Assigned In-Car Video Systems: i. The member is responsible for ensuring that his/her issued equipment is in operational condition at all times. [41.3.8.e] ii. Any defects, repairs, usage problems, etc., shall be immediately reported via a detailed IOC or e-mail, to the Video Systems Manager and his/her immediate supervisor for review and action, when warranted. iii. The Video Systems Manager will make the necessary arrangements with the officer and the appropriate vendor for repair or maintenance of the system. iv. Any repair or attempted repair that involves entering into or exposing internal components is prohibited. v. Unless specifically instructed to do so, officers shall not decommission their vehicles if the only reason they are doing so is because the in-car video system is not working. D. Equipment Readiness (Digital Systems): Officers are responsible for ensuring their video system is operating properly and shall conduct a test recording at the beginning of their tour of duty. [41.3.8.e] 1. During the test recording, officers will ensure: 2\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT i. The forward camera is pointed forward; ii. The back seat camera is operating properly; iii. The internal microphone is operating properly; iv. The remote microphone is operating properly (synced) 2. Officers will ensure their name, vehicle number, shift, agency, and unit ID are properly completed in the log-in screen. E. Activating The System: 1. Required Activation: Members shall activate their systems whenever they are involved in a law enforcement function, including self-initiated field activities and responding to calls for service. Members shall utilize the system even if the video may be of little or no use in some situations. Examples of law enforcement functions include: [41.3.8.b] i. Traffic Stops ii. DUIs/Suspected DUIs iii. Pursuits iv. Calls for Service v. Citizen Contacts (for any reason) vi. Detainees in Patrol Vehicles 3\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT vii. Monitoring Crime Scenes - Example: A broken window / open door as a possible point of entry / exit while the officer checks the portion of the building perimeter out of view of the camera viii. All use of force incidents 2. Example of Discretionary Use: Everyday FTO activity for feedback, evaluation, and improvement of techniques. F. System Activation / Deactivation: In order to record vehicle patterns and/or the behaviors of person(s), members shall activate or ensure activation of their in-car video systems when they initiate contact with a subject(s) / subject vehicle. The system shall remain activated until the person is released and resumes his/her journey, until an arrest is made and the subject is delivered to jail, released, or until the event is otherwise concluded. [41.3.8.b] 1. Members shall manually activate the belt audio when they exit the vehicle, as general system activation only monitors audio inside the vehicle. 2. Members shall leave the belt audio on during the entire incident. Turning the audio on and off during an incident is prohibited except as provided below: i. While completing reports ii. During personal discussions with other officers iii. When on breaks or otherwise engaged in personal activities iv. When on the scene of a bomb threat/explosive device v. Special duty assignments (i.e., high school/basketball, UF football, etc.) or assignments in which the operational plan specifically states that in car video systems are to be deactivated. If the member encounters a situation during the course of the assignment that warrants the in car video system to be activated, the member shall do so. vi. When encountering victims of sexual assault, members should consider the sensitive nature of the situation as well as the rights of the victim and, when practical, members should deactivate the recording function once it has been determined that the victim has been sexually assaulted. G. Conduct During Recording: Employees are reminded that any incident captured on video may become a public record. Members shall conduct thorough investigations and maintain a professional demeanor. In order for a video / audio recorded incident to be as neutral of a witness as possible, no extraneous comments are to be made during recording; only instruction and discussion pertaining to the investigation. 1. Members’ actions shall occur with the safety of the persons contacted, as well as themselves, as the paramount concerns. 4\n\n--- Page 5 ---\n\nGAINESVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT 2. Extraneous Audio Prohibitions: Due to the evidence-gathering capacity of the in-car microphones, the primary audio to be recorded shall consist of the operator’s voice, other law enforcement officers’ voices who may be present in the vehicle, any other portable radio transmissions, and/or the person’s voice who is in the prisoner compartment of the Department vehicle. Department members operating a vehicle equipped with an in-car video ca