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Policy 338Santa Ana Police Department Santa Ana PD Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/06/24, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentPublic Safety Video Surveillance System - 1Public Safety Video Surveillance System 338.1 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. 338.2 POLICY The Santa Ana 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. 338.3 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. 338.3.1 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 Departments 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. Santa Ana Police Department Santa Ana PD Policy Manual Public Safety Video Surveillance System Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/06/24, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Ana 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. Images should be transmitted to pre-designated monitors installed in the Watch Commander’s office, the Station Supervisor's office and Communications Division. 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. Certain cameras (Point-Tilt-Zoom) have the ability to be adjusted, 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. 338.3.2 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. 338.4 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. 338.4.1 PROHIBITED ACTIVITY Public safety video surveillance systems will not intentionally be used to invade the privacy of individuals or observe areas where a reasonable expectation of privacy exists. Public safety video surveillance equipment shall not be used in an unequal or discriminatory manner and shall not target individuals or groups based solely on actual or perceived Santa Ana Police Department Santa Ana PD Policy Manual Public Safety Video Surveillance System Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/06/24, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentPublic Safety Video Surveillance System - 3characteristics such as race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, economic status, age, cultural group, or disability. Video surveillance equipment shall not be used to harass, intimidate, or discriminate against any individual or group. 338.5 STORAGE AND RETENTION OF MEDIA All downloaded media shall be stored in a secure area with access restricted to authorized persons. A recording needed as evidence shall be copied to a suitable medium