Policy Text
Revisions or additions are highlighted 1 (06/23/2025 ) ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: Mobile Video Recording Systems (MVRS)
Index as: Activate Hardware, BCW
Accidental Recordings Manual Activation
Body Worn Camera (BWC) Mobile Video Recording System
Bookmarking/Tagging Mobile Video Recording System Administrator
BWC MVRS
Deactivate Non-evidentiary Recording
DEMS Rear -Facing Fleet Camera System
Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) Recorded Media
Evidentiary Recording Stand -by Mode
False Signal Activation Tagging
Fleet Camera System Unintended Recording
Front -Facing Fleet Camera System Use of Force
Accreditation Standards: 41.3.8, 41.3.10, 83.2.1, 83.2.2, 83.2.4,
Cross Reference : G.O. III -14, Property and Evidence
G.O. IV -01, Rules of Conduct
RD SOP II -03, Electronic and Digital Evidence Management Services
§§ 119.071 and 943.1718, Florida Statutes
Replaces : G.O. III -40, Mobile Video Recording Systems (MVRS) ( April 29, 2024 )
This Order consist s of the following sections:
I. Policy
II. Definitions
III. Operation and Use
IV. Activation of the MVRS
V. Exceptions to Recording
VI. Deactivation
VII. Documentation
VIII. Review and Oversight
IX. Storage and Retention
X. Restricted use and Release
I. POLICY
A. It is the policy of the St. Petersburg Police Department to utilize the Mobile Video Recording System , (MVRS) to
document law enforcement interaction with the public with video and audio recordings.
B. Only Department -issued MVRS equipment is approved for use.
C. All personnel who wear, use, maintain, release, or store MVRS components will receive training regarding the
operation of the equipment and the Department ’s policies and procedures.
DATE OF
ISSUE EFFECTIVE DATE NUMBER
November 2020 Immediately III-40
Distribution: All Employees
General Order III -40
Revisions or additions are highlighted 2 (06/23/2025 ) II. DEFINITIONS
A. Activat ion – Any pro cess or action that causes a MVRS to begin recording and storing both audio and video data ,
including pressing the event button or prompting an automatic signal .
1. Manual Activation – When an officer intentionally activates audio or video recording by an MVRS.
2. Signal Activation – When an MVRS automatically activates audio or video recording without manual
intervention.
B. Body -Worn Camera (BWC) – A camera worn on an individual officer’s person that records and stores audio and
video data for later viewing and listening .
C. Deactivat e – Any action which causes a MVRS to cease recording audio and video and enter buffering mode,
including pressing the event button .
D. Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) – A cloud -based storage system, which stores digitally encrypted
data from the M VRS and is accessible to designated personnel.
E. Digital Evidence Management Unit – The individual(s) given the authority to receive, store, retain, protect, review,
redact in compliance with Florida public records law, and disseminate MVRS audio and video data made or created
by Departm ent personnel.
F. Docking Station – A charging device for a BWC, which also enables BWC recordin gs to upload to the DEMS and
allows for software and firmware updates .
G. Evidentiary Recording – A recording by the MVRS that may include probative information of evidentiary value .
H. Fleet Camera System – A mobile video recording device installed in a police vehicle .
I. Mobile Video Recording System (MVRS) – A collective term for the Body -Worn Camera (BWC) and the Fleet
Camera systems, including both hardware and software utilized to store and manage audio and video data.
J. Mobile Video Recording Systems Administrator – A designated individual who assigns, tracks, and maintains MVRS
equipment; diagnoses and troubleshoots any issues related to the use of the cameras .
K. Non-Evidentiary Recording – A recording t hat does not have value to an investigation or prosecution, such as a
recordin g that doe s not capture an arrest or citation, and footage of general activities that an O fficer might perform
while on duty (e.g., assisting a motorist or clearing a roadway).
L. Standby Mode – In this mode, a MVRS is powered on but is not actively recording . When a MVRS is activated to
record, it is taken out of this mode and will retain thirty ( 30) seconds of pre -activation video data ; but no audio .
M. Unintended Recordings
1. Accidental Recordings – A recording that was unintentionally activated by the officer .
2. False Signal Activation – A recording that was unintentionally activated by a signal.
General Order III -40
Revisions or additions are highlighted 3 (06/23/2025 ) III. OPERATION AND USE
A. Body Worn Camera (BWC)
1. All uniformed officers who interact with the public are assigned a BWC.
The officer wearing a BWC is responsible for ensuring it is proper ly functioning by:
a. Ensuring the assigned B