Does policy specify who is assigned/permitted to wear BWCs?
Sample Policy 1: Body-worn cameras (BWCs) will be assigned to officers at the rank of Sergeant and below and will be required to be used by officers working in a uniformed capacity, including secondary employment, in an assignment that necessitates regular contact with citizens. Plainclothes detectives are not required to wear the external vest and BWC throughout their duty day.
Sample Policy 2: A BWC is issued to each sworn officer of this agency. Every officer who is assigned a BWC shall use said BWC. An officer assigned to uniformed patrol field activity shall activate the BWC to record all official and investigative contacts with citizens in the performance of official duties. Nonuniformed officers, including detectives, shall properly wear and activate their assigned BWC
- prior to and during any attempts to arrest persons;
- when executing any search warrant or raid;
- when conducting any field interviews or interrogations; or
- when responding to officer-in-trouble calls, if time permits.
Sample Policy 3: The Chief of Police has determined that all officers will be equipped with BWCs and shall determine the type(s) of duty assignments (e.g., uniformed patrol, plainclothes detectives, special/tactical operations deployments, etc.) when those officers will wear BWCs.
In the case of a task force, team, or unit composed of officers from more than one law enforcement agency, the chief law enforcement officer of the agency overseeing the task force, team, or unit (e.g., the County Prosecutor in the case of a countywide task force) shall determine whether and in what circumstances officers assigned to the task force, team, or unit will wear BWCs.
Does policy address wearing of BWCs during off-duty assignments?
Sample Policy 1: Body-worn cameras (BWCs) will be required to be utilized by officers working in a uniformed capacity, including secondary employment, in an assignment that necessitates regular contact with citizens.
Sample Policy 2: Those working off-duty or department-paid overtime in uniform of the day shall wear a BWC.
Sample Policy 3: Officers assigned BWCs shall use them during off-duty work and shall comply with this policy. BWC use is allowed only for approved off-duty jobs within the city and while wearing the department uniform.
Sample Policy 4: Officers shall not use department-issued BWCs while working off-duty assignments or for another law enforcement agency.
Does policy address wearing of private owned BWCs?
Sample Policy 1: The BWC issued by the Department will be the only BWC authorized for use.
Sample Policy 2: Officers will use only the departmentally issued BWC. No personally owned cameras (video or still image) shall be used to record anything within the scope of an officer’s duties, except in circumstances as described in Departmental Directive XX.
Sample Policy 3: No personally owned BWC equipment will be used without proper authorization.
Sample Policy 4: Personally owned BWCs shall not be permitted for departmental use, except in instances approved in writing by the Chief of Police and/or the Deputy Chief of Police. In such instances, the data is the property of the Police Department and shall be managed in the same mode as all other BWC data, inclusive of State Records Retention requirements.
