DEPARTMENT: Police Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: William P. McManus, Chief of Police
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Update to SAPD Body Worn Camera Procedure
SUMMARY:
The Department will brief the Public Safety Committee on updates to its body worn camera (BWC) procedures that will become effective Monday, December 21.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
With the goal of further enhancing transparency, the Police Chief updated the SAPD Body-Worn Camera Policy to release portions of videos and 911 calls related to critical incidents involving officer--involved shootings or use of force resulting in death of an individual.
The release of information will be balanced with other sound public policy objectives including privacy and due process. Videos related to domestic violence will not be released unless the Police Chief believes that the release will serve a law enforcement purpose. SAPD will make every effort to release a video within 60 days after the incident and after the Police Chief’s approval. If the Police Chief believes that a video should not be released, the public will be informed of the reasons within 60 days of the incident.
The attached will be incorporated into Procedure 410 and will be effective Monday December 21, 2020 applicable to future critical incidents.
RECOMMENDATION:
This briefing is for information purposes only.