Policy
341
Richmond Police Department
Richmond PD CA Policy Manual
Public Safety Video Surveillance System
341.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy provides guidance for the placement and monitoring of department public safety video surveillance, as well as the storage and release of the captured images.
This policy only applies to overt, marked public safety video surveillance systems operated by the Department. It does not apply to mobile audio/video systems, covert audio/video systems or any other image-capturing devices used by the Department.
341.2 POLICY
The Richmond Police Department operates a public safety video surveillance system to complement its anti-crime strategy, to effectively allocate and deploy personnel, and to enhance public safety and security in public areas. Cameras may be placed in strategic locations throughout the City to detect and deter crime, to help safeguard against potential threats to the public, to help manage emergency response situations during natural and man-made disasters and to assist City officials in providing services to the community.
Video surveillance in public areas will be conducted in a legal and ethical manner while recognizing and protecting constitutional standards of privacy.
341.3 OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES
Only department-approved video surveillance equipment shall be utilized. Members authorized to monitor video surveillance equipment should only monitor public areas and public activities where no reasonable expectation of privacy exists. The Chief of Police or the authorized designee shall approve all proposed locations for the use of video surveillance technology and should consult with and be guided by legal counsel as necessary in making such determinations. 341.3.1 PLACEMENT AND MONITORING
Camera placement will be guided by the underlying purpose or strategy associated with the overall video surveillance plan. As appropriate, the Chief of Police should confer with other affected City divisions and designated community groups when evaluating camera placement. Environmental factors, including lighting, location of buildings, presence of vegetation, or other obstructions, should also be evaluated when determining placement.
The cameras shall only record video images and not sound. Recorded images may be used for a variety of purposes, including criminal investigations and monitoring of activity around high- value or high-threat areas. The public video surveillance system may be useful for the following purposes:
(a) To prevent, deter, and identify criminal activity.
(b) To target identified areas of gang and narcotics complaints or activity. (c) To respond to critical incidents.
(d) To assist in identifying, apprehending, and prosecuting offenders.
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Richmond Police Department
Richmond PD CA Policy Manual
Richmond PD CA Policy Manual
Public Safety Video Surveillance System
(e) To document officer and offender conduct during interactions to safeguard the rights of the public and officers.
(f) To augment resources in a cost-effective manner.
(g) To monitor pedestrian and vehicle traffic activity.
Images from each camera should be recorded in a manner consistent with the underlying purpose of the particular camera. Images should be transmitted to monitors installed in the Watch Commander’s office and Communications Center. When activity warranting further investigation is reported or detected at any camera location, the available information should be provided to responding officers in a timely manner. The Watch Commander or trained personnel in Communications Center are authorized to adjust the cameras to more effectively view a particular area for any legitimate public safety purpose.
The Chief of Police may authorize video feeds from the public safety video surveillance system to be forwarded to a specified location for monitoring by other than police personnel, such as allied government agencies, road or traffic crews, or fire or emergency operations personnel.
Unauthorized recording, viewing, reproduction, dissemination, or retention is prohibited. 341.3.2 CAMERA MARKINGS
All public areas monitored by public safety surveillance equipment shall be marked in a conspicuous manner with appropriate signs to inform the public that the area is under police surveillance. Signs should be well lit, placed appropriately and without obstruction to ensure visibility.
341.3.3 INTEGRATION WITH OTHER TECHNOLOGY
The Department may elect to integrate its public safety video surveillance system with other technology to enhance available information as allowed by federal, state, and local laws. Systems such as gunshot detection, incident mapping, crime analysis, license plate recognition, facial recognition, and other video-based analytical systems may be considered based upon availability and the nature of department strategy.
The Department should evaluate the availability and propriety of networking or otherwise collaborating with appropriate private sector entities and should evaluate whether the use of certain camera systems, such as pan-tilt-zoom systems and video enhancement or other analytical technology, requires additional safeguards.
341.4 MEDIA STORAGE
Audits will be conducted annually to ensure compliance with this policy. Completed audit reports will be forwarded through the CCTV Manager and/or the Assistant Chief of Police to the Chief of Police or his/her designee. Audit results that need further review may be forwarded to an ad-hoc board consisting of subject matter experts selected by the Chief of Police.
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Published with permission by Richmond Police Department Public Safety Video Surveillance System - 269
Richmond Police Department
Richmond PD CA Policy Manual
Richmond PD CA Policy Manual
Public Safety Video Surveillance System
341.4.1 COMPLAINT PROCESS
All internal and external complaints related to the CCTV system or this policy will follow standard complaint and grievance procedures as outlined in the Policy Manual, Memorandum of Understanding, and applicable law.
341.4.2 VIDEO LOG
A log should be maintained at all locations where video surveillance monitors are located. The log should be used to document all persons not assigned to the monitoring locations who have been given access to view or monitor images provided by the video surveillance cameras. The logs should, at a minimum, record the:
(a) Date and time access was given.
(b) Name and agency of the person being given access to the images. (c) Name of person authorizing access.
(d) Identifiable portion of images viewed.
341.4.3 PROHIBITED ACTIVITY
Public safety video surveillance systems will not intentionally be used to invade the privacy of individuals or observe areas where a reasonable expectation of privacy exists.
Public safety video surveillance equipment shall not be used in an unequal or discriminatory manner and shall not target individuals or groups based solely on actual or perceived characteristics such as race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, economic status, age, cultural group, or disability.
Video surveillance equipment shall not be used to harass, intimidate, or discriminate against any individual or group.
341.5 RELEASE OF VIDEO IMAGES
All recorded video images gathered by the public safety video surveillance equipment are for the official use of the Richmond Police Department.
Requests for recorded video images from the public or the media shall be processed in the same manner as requests for department public records.
Requests for recorded images from other law enforcement agencies shall be referred to the Watch Commander for release in accordance with a specific and legitimate law enforcement purpose.
Recorded video images that are the subject of a court order or subpoena shall be processed in accordance with the established department subpoena process. 341.6 VIDEO SURVEILLANCE AUDIT
The Chief of Police or the authorized designee will conduct an annual review of the public safety video surveillance system. The review should include an analysis of the cost, benefit and effectiveness of the system, including any public safety issues that were effectively addressed or Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2024/01/08, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Richmond Police Department Public Safety Video Surveillance System - 270
Richmond Police Department
Richmond PD CA Policy Manual
Richmond PD CA Policy Manual
Public Safety Video Surveillance System
any significant prosecutions that resulted, and any systemic operational or administrative issues that were identified, including those related to training, discipline or policy.
The results of each review shall be appropriately documented and maintained by the Chief of Police or the authorized designee and other applicable advisory bodies. Any recommendations for training or policy should be promptly addressed.
341.7 TRAINING
All department members authorized to operate or access public video surveillance systems shall receive appropriate training. Training should include guidance on the use of cameras, interaction with dispatch and patrol operations and a review regarding relevant policies and procedures, including this policy. Training should also address state and federal law related to the use of video surveillance equipment and privacy.
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Published with permission by Richmond Police Department Public Safety Video Surveillance System - 271