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Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2026/01/14, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Information Technology Use - 1 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Information Technology Use 322.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for the proper use of Department information technology resources, including computers, electronic devices, hardware, software and systems. 322.1.1 DEFINITIONS Definitions related to this policy include: Computer system - All computers (on-site and portable), electronic devices, hardware, software, and resources owned, leased, rented, or licensed by the Santa Monica Police Department that are provided for official use by its members. This includes all access to, and use of, Internet Service Providers (ISP) or other service providers provided by or through the Department or Department funding. Hardware - Includes but is not limited to comput ers, computer terminals, network equipment, electronic devices, telephones (including cellular and satellite), modems, or any other tangible computer device generally understood to comprise hardware. Software - Includes but is not limited to all computer programs, systems, and applications, including shareware and firmware. This does not include files created by the individual user. Temporary file, permanent file, or file - Any electronic document, information, or data residing or located, in whole or in part, on the system including but not limited to spreadsheets, calendar entries, appointments, tasks, notes, letters, reports, messages, photographs, or videos. 322.2 POLICY It is the policy of the Santa Monica Police Department that members shall use information technology resources, including computers, software and systems, that are issued or maintained by the Department in a professional manner and in accordance with this policy. 322.3 PRIVACY EXPECTATION Members forfeit any expectation of privacy with regard to emails, texts, or anything published, shared, transmitted, or maintained through file -sharing software or any internet site that is accessed, transmitted, received, or reviewed on any Department computer system. The Department reserves the right to access, audit, and disclose, for whatever reason, any message, including attachments, and any information accessed, transmitted, received, or reviewed over any technology that is issued or maintained by the Department, including the Department email system, computer network, and/or any information placed into storage on any Department system or dev ice. This includes records of all keystrokes or Web -browsing history made at any Department computer or over any Department network. The fact that access to a database, service, or website requires a username or password will not create an expectation of privacy if it is accessed through Department computers, electronic devices, or networks. Policy 322 Santa Monica Police Department Santa Monica Police Department Policy Manual Information Technology Use Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2026/01/14, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Monica Police Department Information Technology Use - 2 The Department shall not require a member to disclose a personal username or password for accessing personal social media or to open a personal social website; however, the Department may request access when it is reasonably believed to be relevant to the investigation of allegations of work -related misconduct (Labor Code § 980). 322.4 RESTRICTED USE Members shall not access computers, devices, software or systems for which they have not received prior authorization or the required training. Members shall immediately report unauthorized access or use of computers, devices, software or systems by another member to their supervisors or Watch Commanders. Members shall not use another person’s access passwords, logon information and other individual security data, protocols and procedures unless directed to do so by a supervisor. 322.4.1 SOFTWARE Members shall not copy or duplicate any copyrighted or licensed software except for a single copy for backup purposes in accordance with the software company’s copyright and license agreement. To reduce the risk of a computer virus or malicious software, members shall not install any unlicensed or unauthorized software on any Department computer. Members shall not install personal copies of any software onto any Department computer. When related to criminal investigations, software program files may be downloaded only with the approval of the information systems technology (IT) staff and with the authorization of the Chief of Police or the authorized designee. No member shall knowingly make, acqu ire or use unauthorized copies of computer software that is not licensed to the Department while on Department premises, computer systems or electronic devices. Such unauthorized use of software exposes the Department and involved members to severe civil and criminal penalties. Introduction of software by members should only occur as part of the automated maintenance or update process of Depart ment - or City -approved or installed programs by the original manufacturer, producer or developer of the software. Any other introduction of software requires prior authorization from IT staff and a full scan for malicious attachments. 322.4.2 HARDWARE Access to te chnology resources provided by or through the Department shall be strictly limited to Department -related activities. Data stored on or available through Department computer