Summary
"The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has recently announced its plans to implement a body-worn camera program, citing it as one of the Department’s "top five priorities."
Having a suitable policy in place is so critical to the deployment of a body-worn camera program that the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), with support from the Justice Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), is currently working on guidelines to help formulate model policies.
To ensure the most effective policy, the needs and concerns of the many stakeholders throughout the District should be assessed and incorporated to the maximum extent possible. This kind of participation will also build public support and buy-in for the camera program, which should help ensure successful implementation."--Pages 1-2.
Contents
I. Introduction and overview -- II. Potential benefits -- A. Reducing misconduct complaints through improved police-citizen encounters -- B. Facilitating citizen complaint resolution -- C. Officer training -- D. Reducing civil liability -- E. Improving the criminal justice system -- III. Policy decisions -- A. Equipment considerations -- B. Initiating recording -- C. Retention -- D. Privacy -- E. Notice of recording -- F. Access to the recordings -- IV. More accurate cost projections -- V. Practices of other jurisdictions in developing policies -- VI. Recommendations --