Policy Text
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
Page 1
4.7 Patrol Operations: Vehicle Equipment and Uniform
4.7.15 Body Worn Audio/Video Systems (Revised : 3/29/23 )
INTERIM POLICY
Please note that this policy is undergoing preliminary review and is subject to revision throughout
the review process.
A. Purpose
The University of California is committed to officer safety and public safety. The
University has equipped its police departments with body worn audio -visual cameras
(“BWV s,” “devices” or “cameras”) for use as part of the officer’s uniform for the recording
of field activity in the course of official police duties. The cameras are intended to provide
a visual and audio record of police duties, including public contacts, arrest s and critical
incidents. BWV s provide documenta tion to be used in criminal investigations and
prosecutions, internal or administrative investigations, training and other circumstances.
They also serve to enhance the accuracy of police reports, testimony in court and enhance
the Department’s community r elationship -based policing efforts.
Body worn cameras provide a limited perspective of any encounter and must be considered
with all available facts and evidence, such as officer perception, witness statements, officer
interviews, other available video documentation, forensic and/or expert analysis and
documentary evidence. The cameras cannot always show the full narrative nor do they
capture an entire scene. The use of cameras does not reduce or alter the requirement to
provide thorough written documentation as required by this or other policies.
Persons reviewing recordings must be cautious before conclusions are reached about what
the video shows or when evaluating the appropriateness of an officer’s actions in a
particular situation. Evaluating an officer’s actions must take into account a variety of
factors and other circumstances.
The University is committed to officer safety and public safety. Officers must follow
existing officer safety policies when contacting citizens or conduc ting vehicle stops as
outlined in Department policies and procedures. Officer safety and the safety of the public
shall always be the primary consideration, not the ability to record an event.
This policy is intended to balance the respect for privacy an d other University values , with
legal, policy and administrative obligations. Officers should remain sensitive to the dignity
of all individuals being recorded and exercise sound discretion at all times.
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
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B. Policy
1. Required Users
The following sworn per sonnel, from Lieutenant through Officer, are required to
wear the BWV system while on duty, unless otherwise exempted by this General
Order :
a. Uniformed personnel , while on regular a ssignment or on overtime status
b. Detectives working in the field in an enforcement or specialized
investigative capacity (e.g., gang task f orce, violent crime task force) ,
unless the use of BWV may compromise the identity of an undercover
officer, confidential informant or jeopardize tactics
c. Personnel serving a search warr ant, unless the use of the BWV may
compromise the identity of an undercover officer, confidential informant or
jeopardize officer safety or tactics. Any exception to recording pursuant to
this subsection must receive prior approval from the Chief of Police or
designee.
d. Other sworn personnel deemed appropriate by the Chief of Police or
designee.
2. Department -issued Equipment Only
Officers assigned a BWV camera must not use any other non -Department issued
video or audio equipment, such as personally owned video or audio equipment,
mobile devices or cell phones, to record enforcement or investigative activities
involving members of the public unless authorized by the Chief of Police or
designee.
Nothing in this policy precludes officers or other Department personnel from using
authorized still photography equipment.
3. Location of Body Worn Camera
The BWV camera generally consists of a body -mounted camera with a built -in
microphone. The BWV shall be worn on the outside of the outermost garment (e.g.,
load-bearing vest, raincoat) or other departmental approved mounting option, on
the upper torso and facing forward in such a way to facilitate optimum recording
field of view.
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Police Department General Orders
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4. Required Activation of Body Worn Camera
Subject t o the exceptions contained in this General Order or pursuant to the
direction of a supervisor, officers shall activate their BWV device prior to initiating
any criminal investigative or enforcement activity involving a member of the
public, including all:
a. Vehic le or bicycle enforcement stops
b. Pedestrian stops
c. Calls for service
d. Foot pursuits
e. Searches (except strip searches)
f. Arrests
g. Uses of force
h. In-custody transports
i. Witness or victim interviews
j. Forced entry search warrants/tactical deployments
k. When weapons other than those in the possession of law enforcement are
present or alleged to be present
l. Any encounter that becomes adversarial after t he initial contact
m. Initial inventory of seiz ed money or high value property
n. Crowd management events
o. Other investigative or enforcement activities where, in the officer’s
judgment, a video recording would assist in the investigation or prosecution
of a crime or assist in documenting the incident for later investigat ion or
review.
5. Exceptions to Required Ac tivation or Continued Recording
Exceptions to required activation or continuation of the BWV recording are:
a. When, in the officer’s judgment, activation, continuing to record or
changing the BWV functions would jeopardize their safety or