7.136 Body Worn Cameras Flashcards
What is the primary purpose of Body Worn Cameras (BWCs) in policing?
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.
What are the two components of the BWC system employed by the department?
Axon Body 4 (AB4) camera and remote-mounted Flex point of view (POV) camera
The AB4 serves as a backup for the POV component.
Who is responsible for managing the department’s BWC program?
The Digital Technology Section (DTS)
Which officers are issued Body Worn Cameras?
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.
What must officers confirm regarding their BWC at the start of each shift?
That the BWC has a fully charged battery and is functioning properly.
True or False: Officers are allowed to use personally owned recording devices while on duty.
False
Fill in the blank: Officers must notify a _______ when they become aware of a malfunction or damage to the BWC system.
supervisor
What are the circumstances under which officers must activate their BWCs?
Involvement in or observation of police actions as outlined in department policy
This includes calls for service, officer-initiated activities, and adversarial citizen contacts.
What should officers document in reports regarding BWC footage?
They should write ‘BWC footage available’ in the first line of narratives.
What are the exceptions to the requirement for officers to upload their BWC footage by the end of each shift?
Specialized units operating on call and select authorized units using home dock stations
Exceptions allow a maximum of 96 hours for upload.
What responsibilities do supervisors have regarding BWC usage?
Ensure officers use BWCs according to policy, manage malfunctions, and perform uploads if officers are unable to do so.
What is the policy regarding unauthorized use of BWCs?
BWCs will only be used for official law enforcement purposes and not for personal conversations or activities not related to law enforcement.
Under what circumstances can officers deactivate their BWCs?
When no longer assigned to the event or when directed by a supervisor
Officers must state the reason for deactivation.
True or False: Officers are required to record every interaction with citizens.
False
What should officers do if a citizen requests not to be recorded?
Deactivate the BWC if the officer has entered the premises with consent.
What activities are BWCs not permitted to record?
Follow-up investigative briefings, internal meetings, and interactions with undercover officers or confidential informants.
What must be done if an officer’s home dock station malfunctions?
The officer must notify their supervisor and upload at a centralized dock station.
What is required of officers during planned enforcement activities regarding BWC usage?
Officers must employ the BWC when practical and safe.
Fill in the blank: Officers will continue recording until they have _______ from the scene.
cleared
Who has restricted access to BWC footage for investigative purposes?
Supervisors
What should officers do prior to appearing in court regarding BWC footage?
View their own BWC recordings to refresh their memory.
What is the stance on recording during large-scale special events?
Continuous recording is not necessary unless an incident occurs.
What is the main purpose of documenting Body Worn Camera (BWC) reviews in the SOC?
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.
What should supervisors do upon receiving a complaint that may involve BWC footage?
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.
True or False: Supervisors are allowed to review BWC footage in the presence of the complainant.
False
Supervisors will not review footage in the presence of the complainant.
What must be documented in the SOC if the allegation appears to be valid?
That BWC footage is available, has been reviewed, and serves as a basis for the SOC
This documentation is important for transparency and accountability.
What action should be taken if BWC footage establishes probable cause that a citizen is falsely reporting a crime?
Notify the Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB) Criminal Investigations Section on-call supervisor
This is in accordance with Nevada Revised Statute [NRS] 207.280.
Who is allowed to review BWC footage during an investigation of reportable use of force?
Supervisors and involved officers, with officers only permitted to review their own video evidence
This ensures that the review process is fair and unbiased.
What is the role of FIT personnel regarding BWC footage?
Collecting and securing BWCs from involved and witness officers and uploading footage to Evidence.com
This is part of the protocol following an incident involving force.
When can Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB) personnel access BWC footage?
Only when it is related to an internal investigation
This ensures that investigations are handled with the necessary confidentiality.
What must be completed to request BWC footage for training purposes?
The Internal Video Request form (LVMPD 1027)
Authorization is required from the Office of General Counsel (OGC).
What is the department’s policy regarding the release of BWC footage to media outlets?
Release must be in strict compliance with LVMPD 7.540, News Media and Public Information
This policy is designed to protect sensitive information and individual privacy.
Fill in the blank: All images, video, and/or audio generated by any BWC are the sole property of _______.
LVMPD
This emphasizes the control and ownership of the recordings.
What happens to recordings that are not labeled or associated with an enforcement action?
They will automatically be deleted at 90 days
This policy helps manage storage and data security.
What is the minimum retention period for recordings associated with an arrest?
10 years
This long retention period reflects the importance of such evidence.
What triggers a mandatory compliance audit for an officer’s BWC usage?
Falling below a specified compliance percentage
This is part of the department’s efforts to maintain accountability.
What are the responsibilities of the Systems Administration Unit (SAU) regarding BWC equipment?
Tracking and maintenance of BWC equipment and management of data in Evidence.com
This ensures that equipment is functioning correctly and data is secure.
