Policy on body-worn cameras adopted in Peters Township
McMURRAY – Peters Township has new guidelines for police using body-worn cameras.
Township council Monday approved an amendment to the police policy manual addressing procedures, in accordance with recent changes to state law that no longer require law enforcement personnel to announce they are recording.
Police Chief Douglas Grimes requested the update in advance of Axon, formerly known as TASER International, providing his department with camera equipment for free in a trial program during 2018. The amended policy is based on national and state standards, township manager Paul Lauer said.
The intent of the cameras is to help officers document events as they occur. According to the policy, though, the department “recognizes that video images cannot always show the full story, nor do images capture an entire scene.”
“Therefore,” the policy states, “the use of body-worn cameras does not reduce the requirement to provide thorough, written documentation of an incident.”
Although the cameras will be powered constantly, officers must activate the recording feature.
“They may be involved in some kind of incident where they can’t push the button, or it’s not smart to worry about that button,” police Capt. Jennifer Ford explained to council. “There are a lot of situations where they’re going to be required to record, but we’re going to have to put in exceptions, as well.”
For example, the policy requires deactivation in schools, medical or psychiatric facilities, religious sites, restrooms and locker rooms. Also, cameras must not be recording during safety planning for domestic violence or sexual assault victims, during conversations with informants and undercover officers, and in other situations where confidentiality is paramount.
Although the law does not require notice of recording, the policy also states that:
“Officers shall inform all individuals identifiably present, as soon as reasonably practical, that their oral/video communications will be or have been intercepted and recorded. Such notice may assist an officer to de-escalate confrontational situations.”
Axon is providing equipment through its national “A Camera for Every Officer” program. The free trial has no obligation beyond 2018, but Grimes has submitted a capital improvement program proposal to provide funding for continuing use of the cameras and technical support in subsequent years.