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RUSSELLVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS

SUBJECT: Audio / Video Recording NUMBER: 2!"

E##ECTIVE DATE: M$rc% 2&' 2(() REVIE*ED: J$nu$r+ ,' 2(&!

AMENDS/SUPERSEDES:APPROVED: Victor Shifett

C%ie- o- Po.ice

I POLIC0The routine use of mobile audio/video recording equipment in patrol vehicles is for the purpose of collectingevidence, which should be used in the prosecution of those who violate the law.

II PURPOSE

To establish uniform procedures in the use of and disposition of audio/video equipment and media.

III PROCEDURES

A. Members shall record all traffic stops, pursuits, and accident scenes (where practicable). Membersshall also record other events, situations, and circumstances, including but not limited to, armedencounters, acts of physical violence, and felonious conduct.

. !nce audio/video recording begins, officers should record the incident until it has been resolved bythe issuance of a traffic tic"et, arrest made, etc.

#. The wireless microphone shall be worn on the officer$s person and turned on when the camera isrecording. The microphone is effective even inside buildings and therefore officers are encouraged toaudio record incidents even if the officer is not within the view of the camera.

%. #onsent of suspects to be audio/video recorded is not necessary. &nder 'entuc"y law you have aright to audio or video record anything you see or do, as long as you have a legal right to be where youare, therefore, you are recording the incident by the concept of oneparty consent*. Also the &nited+tates +upreme #ourt recently affirmed the use of videotaped evidence of a suspect$s conduct andtheir nontestimonial information does not fall within the scope of the fifth amendment$s privilegeagainst compelled self incrimination, therefore, officers operating this equipment are not required todiscontinue recording a situation for anyone other than the officer in control of the camera, or asupervisor. f a suspect as"s if audio/video recording is being made, they should be informed that theequipment is in use.

E. &sed audio/video media may be reviewed by appropriate department personnel for training purposes.The #hief of -olice may review any audio/video recording for the purposes of ensuring compliancewith policy, in response to a complaint filed internally or eternally, or for periodic review of officerconduct.

IV MEDIA USAGE AND STORAGE

A. ach officer authori0ed to operate a camera will be issued blan" media for recording. The officeris responsible for putting this media into the recorder and removing the media when it has reachedits maimum recording capacity. The officer is responsible for downloading the media to themedia storage computer.

B. The department shall maintain video in storage for a minimum period of 12 days unless theevidence custodian is notified that there is reason to "eep a video longer. &sed media will becleared and reissued for use at the end of this time period.

C. At all times, and especially when the media is not in use, the officer is responsible for ensuring themedia is safely maintained.

D. All media and recordings are and shall remain the property of the 3ussellville -olice %epartment.

E. !nly department issued media may be used in the vehicle camera system. The use of any mediafor the purpose of recording or viewing other than department issue is strictly prohibited.

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V USE O# RECORDINGS AND DUPLICATIONS

A. &nusual or eceptional incidents related to law enforcement activities generate the interest of many.8owever, members of this department shall not afford individuals outside the parameters of lawenforcement the opportunity to review a segment of any recording prior to the related incident beingad9udicated in court. f allowed, this practice could very well constitute pretrial publicity, inhibitingnormal court proceedings.

. -eriodically, video cameras mounted in departmental vehicles record events that may prove usefulas training aids. Therefore, when these cameras record unusual, eceptional, or felony instances,and the incidents recorded are perceived to be of value as a training aid, the media shall be

retained for training purposes by the department.#. t is the policy of the department in its efforts to cooperate with other law enforcement agencies

with legitimate needs, to provide copies of evidentiary recordings on request. As a routine policysuch requests are sub9ect to the following guidelines:

1) 3equest for copies are in writing on official department letterhead stationary of the requesting agency.

2) 3equests are signed by the #hief Administrative official.

3) The recording in question is not the current sub9ect of 9udicial review.

D. t is the policy of the department, in its efforts to cooperate with those in the private sector withlegitimate needs, to provide copies of evidentiary recordings on request. +uch requests are sub9ectto the following guidelines:

1) 3equests for copies are to be submitted in writing, directed to the #hief of -olice.

2) 3equests are accompanied by a chec" or money order in the amount of ;4== -!=#%-A3TM?T, and the following tet:

This duplicate recording is furnished to the requesting entities for the epressuse of the requestor and further duplication without the epress written consentof the #hief of -olice is prohibited.*

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