Policy Text
Revisions or additions are highlighted 1 (08/28 /2017 ) ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: PLACEMENT AND USE OF CCTV/VIDEO CAMERAS
Index as: CCTV Private Areas Public Area
Data Storage System PTZ Camera Video Cameras
Fixed Camera
Accreditation Standards:
Cross Reference : G.O. III -07, Videography
G.O. III -14, Property and Evidence
§119, F.S.S .
Replaces : Placement and Use of CCTV/Video Cameras (April 29, 2013)
This Order consist s of the following sections:
I. Philosophy
II. Purpose
III. Definitions
IV. Camera Placement
V. CCTV/Video Camera Monitoring
VI. Video or Other Storage Media
VII. Appropriate Use and Confidentiality
VIII. Public Records Requests
I. PHILOSOPHY
A. Video cameras extend the capability of the Police Department to view and/or monitor events even when officers
are not in an immediate area.
B. Video cameras are utilized to record and/or monitor high -traffic tourist areas, public parks, property and spaces,
special events and assist with Police resource allocation.
C. The Police Department/City will comply with all applicable local, state and federal laws in the use of video cameras.
II. PURPOSE
A. Information obtained from police video cameras shall be used exclusively for law enforcement and/or public safety
purposes. Information shall be handled with an appropriate level of security to protect against unauthorized access,
alteration or disclosure.
B. All appropriate measures shall be taken to protect an individual’s right to privacy and hold information securely
through its creation, storage, transmission, use, and deletion.
C. Video cameras will be limited to uses that do not violate the reasonable expectation of privacy as defined by law.
DATE OF
ISSUE EFFECTIVE DATE NUMBER
August 2017 Immediately III-32
Distribution: All Employees
General Order III -32
Revisions or additions are highlighted 2 (08/28 /2017 ) III. DEFIN ITIONS
A. CCTV – A Closed Circuit Television system.
B. Data Storage System – A computer or electronic device dedicated to the purpose of storing data, including video and
images.
C. Fixed Camera – A video camera that must be physically/manually positioned, zoomed and focused.
D. Private Areas – Areas or spaces in which there is a reasonable expectation of privacy.
E. PTZ Camera – A pan, tilt and zoom capable video camera.
F. Public Area – An area open for public use where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy. These may include,
but are not limited to, sidewalks, parks, roads, streets, alleys, public buildings, public parking lots and outdoor areas.
G. Video Camera – A camera device that is capable of capturing images, viewable by the unaided eye, and transferring
such images to a video display area or a data storage system.
IV. CAMERA PLACEMENT
A. The Police Department may utilize the placement of PTZ and/or fixed cameras in designated public areas to record
activities and events. These video cameras may also be monitored in real -time, by designated Police personnel, as may be
appropriate.
B. Requests for placement of all non -covert video cameras, to be used exclusively by the P olice Department, must be
made to the Chief of Police.
C. Video cameras shall not be directed or zoomed into any private home, residential or commercial building.
D. This policy does not apply to cameras used for investigative purposes by the Department or oth er law enforcement
agencies.
V. CCTV/VIDEO CAMERA MONITORING
A. The Chief of Police, or designee, will determine the personnel who will have access to view and/or monitor video
cameras as may be warranted.
B. The Information and Technology Services (ITS) Division will issue a username and password to personnel who are
approved to access and/or control the video camera system.
C. Any authorized person accessing video cameras and/or the CCTV system will log into the system with their own
unique username and password.
D. The CCTV system will record and log, chronologically by date, the username of individuals who manipulate video
cameras. The recorded user/usage log will be retained for no less than thirty (30) days.
E. Video camera images may be monitored only by personnel authorized by the Chief of Police or designee, except as
may be necessary in the course of an investigation or adjudication, or as may be required in the normal course of
implementation, maintenance and repair.
F. Video cameras shall be left in th eir pre -determined/programmed viewing pattern, unless an authorized person, with
supervisory approval, manipulates a video camera for operational purposes. Video cameras will automatically return to
their programmed viewing pattern/position thereafter.
General Order III -32
Revisions or additions are highlighted 3 (08/28 /2017 ) VI. VIDEO OR OTHER STORAGE MEDIA
A. Video images will be stored and transported in a manner that preserves their security. Current, archived or storage
media shall be secured.
B. All recorded images which may be associated with an investigation are to be proc essed in accordance with the
provisions established in J:\Research \GeneralOrders \III Operational General Orders \III-14 Propert y and Evidence.pdf .
C. All recorded images used for an investigation or prosecution of a crime shall be retained until the end of the
proceeding and appeal period, unless directed otherwise by a court of law.
D. Copies of recorded images may be obtained for investigative purposes via the provisions established in
J