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ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER Effective Date: December 4, 2015  Amends - GO 9.1.6 (December 13, 2013) Number: 9.1.6 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: April Reviewing Authority: SOD / Aviation & UPD/ Division Commander Subject: Mobile Video Recording Equipment This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Policy 3. Definitions 4. Procedures 1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to establish guidelines and procedures for using mobile video recording equipme nt. 2. Policy Deputies may use agency issued mobile video recording equip ment to document work related incidents . 3. Definitions A. Evidentiary Recordings – recordings generated by mobile video recording equipment that contain evidence of a crime or infr action for use in court, civil litigation or resolution of a citizen complaint . B. Mobile Video Recording Equipment (MVR) – mobile video recording system , including but not limited to, mobile digital recorder, recorder controlled video camera, wireless mi crophone, in -car microphone, video monitor and docking station. MVR equipment is mounted in motor vehicles with the wireless microphones worn by deputies. Some MVR systems record activity occurring in the front of the vehicle while others also have the abi lity to record the rear seat. C. Mobile Video System Coordinator (MVSC) - Agency member responsible for the coordination of body worn and in -car camera systems. D. Non-Evidentiary Recordings – recordings generated by mobile video recording equipment that do not contain any evidence of a crime or infraction. (momentary activation of system due to a DAV, citizen assist, etc.). 4. Procedures A. General Mobile Video Recording Equipment Procedures 1. MVR may be used for official purposes only. 2. Deputies operating vehicles equipped with MVR shall record all: 9.1.6, Page 2 of 5 a. Traffic stops . b. Vehicle pursuits . c. Emergency operation of the vehicle . 3. Deputies may use MVR to record incidents of public safety concern on roadways, sidewalks, and other areas open to the pu blic. 4. Deputies shall only use agency issued MVR. 5. MVR will only be used by deputies after they have received agency approved training. 6. Deputies may inform subjects when they are being recorded, if they believe it would help to diffuse a situation. The subject’s consent is not required to continue the recording. 7. If a deputy has both a body worn camera and MVR, the body worn camera will take precedence over a MVR. The deputy may operate the MVR in addition to the Body Worn Camera but it is not req uired unless the Body Worn Camera is disabled, broken or otherwise not operational. Deputies shall adhere to policy 9.1.9, Body Worn Cameras. B. Prohibitions 1. Deputies shall not record other agency personnel during routine, non - enforcement -related activities unless recording is required by a court order or is authorized as part of an administrative or criminal investigation. 2. To protect their identities, deputies shall not record conversations with undercover personnel, if avoidable. 3. Deputies should avoid recording when tactics or strategy is being discussed. 4. Deputies shall not record in any place that a person will have a reasonable expectation of privacy, e.g. bathrooms, lockers rooms, medi cal facilities when confidential patient information may be recorded. 5. Deputies shall not use non -agency equipment or devices to record or download video from MVR’s. Deputies may use non -agency equipment to view, tag or display MVR video to further operat ional or investigative efforts. C. General Operating Procedures 1. Deputies shall have the MVR , specifically including the wireless microphone , in standby mode and ready for immediate activation while on -duty. 2. Deputies shall wear the wireless micropho ne on their person while utilizing a MVR equipped vehicle as a function of an off-duty detail (e.g., construction site, HOA detail). 3. Deputies shall confirm the equipment is operational and the date, time and 9.1.6, Page 3 of 5 identification information is correct. 4. Deputies conducting traffic stops with vehicles equipped with MVR shall position them in a safe location to record the entire stop. 5. During lowlight conditions, h eadlights and spotlights should be adjusted to give the best lighting in the test area and reduce reflected light that may affect the MVR. 6. Deputies who activate MVR may tempora rily turn off only the wireless microphone when transmitting confidential information via police radio or cellular telephone that is confidential in nature. 7. Deput ies who activate MVR shall continue to record until : a. The incident is concluded. b. Ordered to stop by a supervisor . c. Directing traffic or assisting in traffic control . d. While waiting for a wrecker with no arrestee in the vehicle. e. There is no long er a legitimate need to continue the recording . 8. If the MVR is manually stopped during an incident, the deputy shall record a brief explanation, when possible, before turning it off. 9. If the deputy’s vehicle is equipped with a rear seat facing camera and an internal microphone, the