7.136 Body Worn Cameras

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of Body Worn Cameras (BWCs) in policing?

Answer 1

To promote professionalism, public trust, and transparency by recording citizen contacts with officers

BWCs also capture video and audio evidence for criminal prosecutions and internal investigations.

Question 2

What are the two components of the BWC system employed by the department?

Answer 2

Axon Body 4 (AB4) camera and remote-mounted Flex point of view (POV) camera

The AB4 serves as a backup for the POV component.

Question 3

Who is responsible for managing the department’s BWC program?

Answer 3

The Digital Technology Section (DTS)

Question 4

Which officers are issued Body Worn Cameras?

Answer 4

Uniformed officers and sergeants in various divisions, plainclothes officers, cadets, and certain assignments within Detention Services Division

Specific divisions include Community Safety Division, Tourist Safety Division, SWAT, Gang Enforcement Team, and more.

Question 5

What must officers confirm regarding their BWC at the start of each shift?

Answer 5

That the BWC has a fully charged battery and is functioning properly.

Question 6

True or False: Officers are allowed to use personally owned recording devices while on duty.

Answer 6

False

Question 7

Fill in the blank: Officers must notify a _______ when they become aware of a malfunction or damage to the BWC system.

Answer 7

supervisor

Question 8

What are the circumstances under which officers must activate their BWCs?

Answer 8

Involvement in or observation of police actions as outlined in department policy

This includes calls for service, officer-initiated activities, and adversarial citizen contacts.

Question 9

What should officers document in reports regarding BWC footage?

Answer 9

They should write ‘BWC footage available’ in the first line of narratives.

Question 10

What are the exceptions to the requirement for officers to upload their BWC footage by the end of each shift?

Answer 10

Specialized units operating on call and select authorized units using home dock stations

Exceptions allow a maximum of 96 hours for upload.

Question 11

What responsibilities do supervisors have regarding BWC usage?

Answer 11

Ensure officers use BWCs according to policy, manage malfunctions, and perform uploads if officers are unable to do so.

Question 12

What is the policy regarding unauthorized use of BWCs?

Answer 12

BWCs will only be used for official law enforcement purposes and not for personal conversations or activities not related to law enforcement.

Question 13

Under what circumstances can officers deactivate their BWCs?

Answer 13

When no longer assigned to the event or when directed by a supervisor

Officers must state the reason for deactivation.

Question 14

True or False: Officers are required to record every interaction with citizens.

Answer 14

False

Question 15

What should officers do if a citizen requests not to be recorded?

Answer 15

Deactivate the BWC if the officer has entered the premises with consent.

Question 16

What activities are BWCs not permitted to record?

Answer 16

Follow-up investigative briefings, internal meetings, and interactions with undercover officers or confidential informants.

Question 17

What must be done if an officer’s home dock station malfunctions?

Answer 17

The officer must notify their supervisor and upload at a centralized dock station.

Question 18

What is required of officers during planned enforcement activities regarding BWC usage?

Answer 18

Officers must employ the BWC when practical and safe.

Question 19

Fill in the blank: Officers will continue recording until they have _______ from the scene.

Answer 19

cleared

Question 20

Who has restricted access to BWC footage for investigative purposes?

Answer 20

Supervisors

Question 21

What should officers do prior to appearing in court regarding BWC footage?

Answer 21

View their own BWC recordings to refresh their memory.

Question 22

What is the stance on recording during large-scale special events?

Answer 22

Continuous recording is not necessary unless an incident occurs.

Question 23

What is the main purpose of documenting Body Worn Camera (BWC) reviews in the SOC?

Answer 23

To ensure confidentiality and proper documentation of conduct observed during BWC footage review

Documentation in the SOC is prioritized over Evidence.com for confidentiality reasons.

Question 24

What should supervisors do upon receiving a complaint that may involve BWC footage?

Answer 24

Handle complaints according to LVMPD 8.330, interview the complainant, access footage on scene, and document findings

Supervisors should interview the complainant before reviewing any BWC footage when possible.

Question 25

True or False: Supervisors are allowed to review BWC footage in the presence of the complainant.

Answer 25

False ## Footnote Supervisors will not review footage in the presence of the complainant.

Question 26

What must be documented in the SOC if the allegation appears to be valid?

Answer 26

That BWC footage is available, has been reviewed, and serves as a basis for the SOC ## Footnote This documentation is important for transparency and accountability.

Question 27

What action should be taken if BWC footage establishes probable cause that a citizen is falsely reporting a crime?

Answer 27

Notify the Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB) Criminal Investigations Section on-call supervisor ## Footnote This is in accordance with Nevada Revised Statute [NRS] 207.280.

Question 28

Who is allowed to review BWC footage during an investigation of reportable use of force?

Answer 28

Supervisors and involved officers, with officers only permitted to review their own video evidence ## Footnote This ensures that the review process is fair and unbiased.

Question 29

What is the role of FIT personnel regarding BWC footage?

Answer 29

Collecting and securing BWCs from involved and witness officers and uploading footage to Evidence.com ## Footnote This is part of the protocol following an incident involving force.

Question 30

When can Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB) personnel access BWC footage?

Answer 30

Only when it is related to an internal investigation ## Footnote This ensures that investigations are handled with the necessary confidentiality.

Question 31

What must be completed to request BWC footage for training purposes?

Answer 31

The Internal Video Request form (LVMPD 1027) ## Footnote Authorization is required from the Office of General Counsel (OGC).

Question 32

What is the department's policy regarding the release of BWC footage to media outlets?

Answer 32

Release must be in strict compliance with LVMPD 7.540, News Media and Public Information ## Footnote This policy is designed to protect sensitive information and individual privacy.

Question 33

Fill in the blank: All images, video, and/or audio generated by any BWC are the sole property of _______.

Answer 33

LVMPD ## Footnote This emphasizes the control and ownership of the recordings.

Question 34

What happens to recordings that are not labeled or associated with an enforcement action?

Answer 34

They will automatically be deleted at 90 days ## Footnote This policy helps manage storage and data security.

Question 35

What is the minimum retention period for recordings associated with an arrest?

Answer 35

10 years ## Footnote This long retention period reflects the importance of such evidence.

Question 36

What triggers a mandatory compliance audit for an officer's BWC usage?

Answer 36

Falling below a specified compliance percentage ## Footnote This is part of the department's efforts to maintain accountability.

Question 37

What are the responsibilities of the Systems Administration Unit (SAU) regarding BWC equipment?

Answer 37

Tracking and maintenance of BWC equipment and management of data in Evidence.com ## Footnote This ensures that equipment is functioning correctly and data is secure.