Policy Text
Page 1 of 12 General Order 01-20 (04/16/2021)
BODY-WORN CAMERAS
RICHMOND POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: BODY WORN CAMERA PROGRAM
Chapter
1 Number
20 Pages
12
References:
CALEA Standards: 17.5.2, 41.3.8 , 83.2.2a,
83.2.2b, 83.2.2c, 83.2.2 d
Related Orders:
EO 19 -04, EO 19 -14,
EO 20 -02 Effective Date : 04/16/2021
Revised By: New Standards/PD -132
Prv. Rev. Date: 03/27/2020
Amending EO 19 -04 (02/20/19)
Amending EO 19 -14 (10/28/19)
Amending EO 20 -02 (01/24/20)
Chief of Police:
I. PURPOSE
To establish procedures and provide guidance related to the use of a Body Worn Camera
(BWC) and the management, storage, and retrieval of BWC recordings in accordance with
best practices and the law. [CALEA 41.3.8a]
II. SUMMARY OF CHANGE
The revision requires all officers to include: primary, secondary, and/or assisting units;
turning on their BWC recordings as soon as a call for service or self-initiated police
action takes place. Officers should not use personal equipment for evidence collection.
The Supervisor BWC Audit report is now a PD-181 form. Lieutenants are responsible for
ensuring supervisor’s BWC Audit forms are uploaded in the corresponding folder on the
. Divisional Commanders will be responsible for ensuring all affected units under
their command have completed their BWC Audits by the 10th of the month.
This revision is derived from the implementation of new CALEA standards, as well as a
modification request.
The specific change(s) are noted in bold italicized text throughout the document.
III. POLICY
It is the policy of the Richmond Police Department that officers shall activate the BWC when
such use is appropriate to the proper performance of his or her official duties, where the
recordings are consistent with this policy and the law. Law enforcement use of BWC has
proven effective in reducing violent confrontations, uses of force, and complaints against
officers. This policy does not govern the use of hidden recording devices used in undercover
operations. [CALEA 41.3.8a]
Page 2 of 12 General Order 01 -20 (04/16/2021 )
BODY -WORN CAMERAS IV. ACCOUNTABILITY STATEMENT
All employees are expected to fully comply with the guidelines and timelines set forth in this
general order . Responsibility rests with the Division Commander to ensure that any
violations of policy are investigated and appropriate training, counseling , and/or disciplinary
action is initiated.
This directive is for internal use only, and does not enlarge an employee’s civil liability in
any way . It should not be construed as the creation of a higher standard of safety or ca re in
an evidentiary sense, with respect to third party claims . Violation of this directive, if proven,
can only form the basis of a complaint by this Department, and then only in a non -judicial
administrative setting.
V. DEFINITIO N
A. Body -Worn Camera : The Body -Worn Camera (BWC) is an audio and video recording
system worn by officers, which captures encounters and activities from the officer’s
perspective . The system consists of the camera, battery pack and several mounting
options.
B. Body Worn Camera Coordinator : Employee designated by the Chief of Police to
manage the body worn camera program .
C. Body Worn Camera Unit Coordinator : Employees the rank of lieutenant or above who
are designated by their commander to assist with the implement ation and use of BWCs
within their precinct/division by providing assistance and guidance to officers who are
assigned BWCs.
D. Body Worn Camera Officer : Sworn employee in the positon/rank of Officer assigned to
assist the Body Worn Camera Coordinator with ma nagement of the body worn camera
program .
E. Body Worn Camera Civilian : Civilian employee assigned to assist Body Wor n Camera
Coordinator and Officer with management of the Body worn camera program .
F. Digital Evidence : BWC files, including photographs, audio r ecordings, and video
footage, captured by a BWC and stored digitally on Evidence.com .
G. Docking Station : Hardware connected to the Richmond Police Department network that
is designed to download digital evidence from the BWC and uploaded to Evidence.com .
VI. PRO CEDURE
A. Operation:
The Richmond Police Department has adopted the use of the BWC to accomplish
several objectives.
1. The primary objectives are:
a) To enhance transparency and accountability, to build trust, and to foster
healthy relationships in the community w e serve.
Page 3 of 12 General Order 01 -20 (04/16/2021 )
BODY -WORN CAMERAS b) BWCs allow for additional documentation of police -public contacts, a rrests,
and critical incidents.
c) Audio and video recordings also enhance this agency’s ability to review
probable cause for arrest, officer, and suspect interaction, and evidence f or
investigative and prosecutorial purposes and to provide additional
information for o fficer evaluation and training.
d) The BWC may also be