Policy Text
Policy
335San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/05/29, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentPublic Safety Video Surveillance System - 1Public Safety Video Surveillance System
335.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy provides guidance for the placement and monitoring of department public safety video
surveillance, as well as the storage and release of the captured images.
This policy only applies to overt, marked public safety video surveillance systems operated by
the Department. It does not apply to mobile audio/video systems, covert audio/video systems or
any other image-capturing devices used by the Department.
335.2 POLICY
The San Luis Obispo Police Department operates a public safety video surveillance system to
complement its anti-crime strategy, to effectively allocate and deploy personnel, and to enhance
public safety and security in public areas. Cameras may be placed in strategic locations throughout
the City to detect and deter crime, to help safeguard against potential threats to the public, to help
manage emergency response situations during natural and man-made disasters and to assist City
officials in providing services to the community.
Video surveillance in public areas will be conducted in a legal and ethical manner while recognizing
and protecting constitutional standards of privacy.
335.3 OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES
Only department-approved video surveillance equipment shall be utilized. Members authorized to
monitor video surveillance equipment should only monitor public areas and public activities where
no reasonable expectation of privacy exists. The Chief of Police or the authorized designee shall
approve all proposed locations for the use of video surveillance technology and should consult
with and be guided by legal counsel as necessary in making such determinations.
335.3.1 PLACEMENT AND MONITORING
Camera placement will be guided by the underlying purpose or strategy associated with the overall
video surveillance plan. As appropriate, the Chief of Police should confer with other affected City
divisions and designated community groups when evaluating camera placement. Environmental
factors, including lighting, location of buildings, presence of vegetation, or other obstructions,
should also be evaluated when determining placement.
The cameras shall only record video images and not sound. Recorded images may be used for
a variety of purposes, including criminal investigations and monitoring of activity around high-
value or high-threat areas. The public video surveillance system may be useful for the following
purposes:
(a)To prevent, deter, and identify criminal activity.
(b)To target identified areas of gang and narcotics complaints or activity.
(c)To respond to critical incidents.
San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Public Safety Video Surveillance System
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/05/29, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentPublic Safety Video Surveillance System - 2(d)To assist in identifying, apprehending, and prosecuting offenders.
(e)To document officer and offender conduct during interactions to safeguard the rights
of the public and officers.
(f)To augment resources in a cost-effective manner.
(g)To monitor pedestrian and vehicle traffic activity.
Images from each camera should be recorded in a manner consistent with the underlying purpose
of the particular camera.When activity warranting further investigation is reported or detected at
any camera location, the available information should be provided to responding officers in a
timely manner. Trained personnel as authorized by the Chief of Police or designee may adjust the
cameras to more effectively view a particular area for any legitimate public safety purpose.
The Chief of Police may authorize video feeds from the public safety video surveillance system to
be forwarded to a specified location for monitoring by other than police personnel, such as allied
government agencies, road or traffic crews, or fire or emergency operations personnel.
Unauthorized recording, viewing, reproduction, dissemination, or retention is prohibited.
335.3.2 TRAINING
Personnel involved in video monitoring will be appropriately trained and supervised.
335.3.3 INTEGRATION WITH OTHER TECHNOLOGY
The Department may elect to integrate its public safety video surveillance system with other
technology to enhance available information. Systems such as gunshot detection, incident
mapping, crime analysis, license plate recognition, facial recognition and other video-based
analytical systems may be considered based upon availability and the nature of department
strategy.
The Department should evaluate the availability and propriety of networking or otherwise
collaborating with appropriate private sector entities and should evaluate whether the use
of certain camera systems, such as pan-tilt-zoom systems and video enhancement or other
analytical technology, requires additional safeguards.
335.3.4 CAMERA MARKINGS
Except in the case of covert operations, confidential investigations, or rapidly developing public
safety events, all public areas that are monitored by public safety cameras should be marked in
a conspicuous manner with appropriate signs to inform the public that the area is under police
surveillance, when practical. Signs shall be well lit to ensure visibility.
335.4 VIDEO SUPERVISION
Supervisors should monitor video surveillance access and usage to ensure members are
within department policy and applicable laws. Supervisors should ensure such use and access
is appropriately documented.
San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Public Safety Video Surveillance System
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/05/29, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentPublic Safety Video Surveillance System - 3335.4.1 VIDEO LOG
A log should be maintained at all locations where video surveillance monitors are located. The
log should be used to document all persons not assigned to the monitoring locations who have
been given access to view or monitor images provided by the video