Policy Text
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DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
I-20: GUNSHOT LOCATION DETECTION SYSTEM
Effective Date: 24 Sep 20
Coordina tor: Ceasefire Division
The Oakland Police Department (OPD) strives to use technology that pr omot es
accoun tability and transparency. This policy provides guidance and procedure for
response, immediate actions, follow up, documentation, and auditing of OPD’ s Gunshot
Location Detection (GLD) System incidents that occur within the City of Oakland.
All data , whether sound or imag e, generated by OPD’s GLD System are for the official use
of this department. Because such data may contain confidential information, such data is
not open to public review. A. Description of the Technology
OPD uses a GLD System (currently the ShotSpotter® Flex™ system , provided by
ShotSpotter , Inc. “Shotspotter” ) to record gunshot sounds and use sensors to locate the
origin of the gunshots. The GLD system enables OPD to be aware of gunshots in the
absence of witnesses and/or report s of gunshots to OPD’s Communications Division
(Communications ). The GLD system notif ies Communications of verified gunshot
events , which allows OPD to quickly respond to gunshots and related violent criminal
activity.
A – 1. How Shotspotter Works
OPD’ s GLD system emp loys acoustic sensors strategically placed in specified
areas (commonly referred to as a “ coverage area. ”) When a gun is fired, the
sensors detect the firing of the weapon . The audio triangulation of multiple
installed sensors then pinpoints a gunfire loca tion and sends the audio file and
triangulation information to Shotspotter Headquarters (HQ) for gunshot
verification. Verified gunshots and related information are then sent to
Communications in real -time so that Communications may notify responding
offic ers where guns were fired.
A – 2. The GLD System
There are three components to GLD system :
1. GLD Sensors : Sensors are installed in different coverage areas in Oakland .
Oakland currently has five coverage areas (or phases) where sensors are
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER I-20 Effective Date
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installed to triangulate gunshots.
2. ShotSpotter Headquarters (HQ) : Sensors send acoustic information to HQ
where computer -based machine- learning algorithms are used to analyze the
sound. If the sound and visual audio signature match gunfire, the incident
file is then passed along to the Incident Review Center (IRC) . Acoustic
experts at the IRC review incidents within seconds and provide additional
information (e.g. number of gunshots, number of guns, types of guns).
Confi rmed gunshots are pushed out to Communications (dispatch) as well
as to the OPD Shotspotter software system within seconds.
3. The OPD Shotspotter S oftware S ystem : This system is cloud- based and
desktop- based; OPD authorized personnel can use internet browsers to
connect to the Shotspotter system via OPD computers. Certain authorized
personnel use desktop applications that connect to the Shotspotter system
for more in -depth gunshot analysis.
B. General Guidelines
B – 1. Authorized Use
The Chief of Police or designee shall provide necessary training and/or
technical assistance for GLD usage . Only OPD personnel shall be granted
access to OPD’s GLD System. The GLD system shall only be used for locating
gunshots. The system shall never be used to record human conversations
except where such conversations are unintentionally recorded in connection with gunshot recordings.
B – 1. Restrictions on Use
Depart ment members shall not use or allow others to use the GLDS acoustical
recording equipment, software or data for any unauthorized purpose.
B – 2. Use Priority
All GLD activations shall be treated as priority one calls.
B-3. Data Access
1. Authorized perso nnel may access the GLD s ystem via vehicle computers
and receive notifications of verified GLD activations. OPD
Communications may also notify authorized personnel of GLD activations.
Authorized personnel may respond to such notifications based upon priorities as mandated by their supervisors.
2. The GLD system shall only be used for official law enforcement purposes .
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3. Only specifically authorized personnel authorized by the Chief or Chief -
designee (e.g. personnel with OPD’s Ceasefire Unit and CID crime
analysts) will have access t o historical GLD system data via desktop GLD
system applications .
The GLD system may be use d for authorized patrol and investigation
purposes. Contacting individuals at locations where GLD activations occur
shall be conducted in accordance with applicable law and policy.
4. Accessin g data collected by the GLD system (currently Shotspotter )
requir es a rig ht to know and a need to know. A right to know is the legal
authority to receive information pursuant to a court order, statutory law, or case law. A need to know is a compelling reason to request information such as direct involvement in an inves tigation or assignment to a unit which
responds to gunshot calls (e.g. Patrol Division) .
5. Members approved to access GLD system data may only use data for