LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
PROPOSED MANUAL REVISION

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3-06/200.00 BODY WORN CAMERAS
The purpose of this policy is to establish responsibilities and procedures for the use and
deployment of the Department issued body worn camera (BWC) and the Digital
Evidence Management System (DEMS).
The following provisions provide Department members with instructions on the use of
BWCs to ensure reliable recording of enforcement and investigative contacts with the
public. The Department has adopted the use of BWCs by uniformed personnel to:
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Collect evidence for use in criminal investigations and prosecutions;
Deter criminal activity and uncooperative behavior during law enforcement
interactions with the public;
Assist personnel with completing reports and providing testimony;
Promote accountability;
Assist with resolving citizen complaints and administrative investigations; and
Provide additional information for employee evaluation, training, and
improvement.

BWCs provide additional information regarding enforcement and investigative contacts
with a member of the public. The quality and utility of BWC recordings may be limited
by factors including lighting, camera position, and movement. A BWC recording may
not capture the Department member’s line-of-sight, record the events as the
Department member experienced them, record the Department member’s perceptions
and/or fears, or account for the Department member’s reaction time to an event. It is
incumbent upon the criminal and administrative investigators, and the reviewers to
understand and account for limitations of video and all other available evidence,
including witness statements and forensic analysis when evaluating a Department
member’s actions.
3-06/200.03 DEFINITIONS
Audit Trail - An electronic tracking system which provides a record of uploads, views,
downloads, transfers, and modifications to copies of the original record.
Body Worn Camera (BWC) – A video and audio recording device worn by a Department
member which allows an event to be recorded and saved as a digital file.
Body Worn Camera Unit (BWCU) – Unit responsible for the issuance of BWC
equipment, California Public Records Act requests (CPRA), and oversight of the BWC
program.
Buffering Mode or Standby Mode - The BWC power is on and in a state where the
device is capturing only video, but not saving the recording to memory. The device is

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continually recording for a designated time and will only save once the BWC is activated
to record both sound and video.
Desktop Application – A stand-alone program residing on a Department computer that
accomplishes the same function as the docking station. The sync application is only for
personnel who do not have access to a docking station.
Digital Evidence – BWC files (including digital photographs), documents, video, or audio
recordings, suitable for upload to the Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS).
Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) – A secure, “cloud” based storage
system managed by the BWCU, externally hosted by the vendor, and available to
authorized users. DEMS is used to organize, classify, manage, view, share, and
archive digital evidence. DEMS tracks and provides an extensive audit log of all activity
to protect the chain of custody. Levels of access can be set and restricted within
DEMS.
Docking Station – A hardware device which allows for a BWC to be mounted securely
while the BWC is charging and allows for uploading files to the DEMS system. When
the camera is docked, video data stored on the camera is automatically uploaded to the
DEMS.
Metadata - Searchable data specific to the digital file, URN numbers, tag numbers, and
other descriptors used to identify digital evidence, and required to be added to digital
files to facilitate searching for the file.
Mobile Application – An application installed on a smartphone or smart device (viewer),
which allows for connection to the DEMS system, connection to the BWC, or other
integration.
Point-of-View Camera – A BWC which has the ability to be mounted to glasses,
headgear, epaulette, or collar.
Recording off – The process of turning off the BWC and ensuring it is not recording.
This discontinues the recording being saved to memory, but does not prevent the
device from buffering.
Recording on – The process of turning on the BWC and recording video and/or audio to
memory.
Power On/Off – The process of powering on or off the recording device. This merely
turns the device on or off, and does not refer to recording.
Tagging – A method to add metadata to digital files which can be retrieved by URN
number, date/time, etc.

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Viewer (Smart Device) – A device which allows review and tagging of videos. It can
also be used to take photographs and provide geographic location data.
3-06/200.05 BODY WORN CAMERAS – EQUIPMENT
Body Worn Camera (BWC) equipment consists of a body-mounted camera with a builtin microphone and a handheld viewing device. The BWC is worn on the outside of a
Department member’s uniform, facing forward to make video and audio recordings.
The BWC audio and video recordings are stored on the BWC and can be viewed on a
handheld viewer or on a Department computer.
Department personnel trained and issued a BWC device are required to wear and use
their BWC while on duty, consistent with the terms of this policy. The on-duty watch
commander or incident commander may grant exceptions for wearing a BWC to
personnel who are working outside overtime assignments, special operations, or due to
shortage of replacement cameras.
3-06/200.08 BODY WORN CAMERAS – ACTIVATION
Department personnel shall activate their body worn camera (BWC) prior to initiating, or
upon arrival at, any enforcement or investigative contact involving a member of the
public, including all:
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Vehicle stops;
Pedestrian stops (including self-initiated consensual encounters);
Calls for service;
Code-3 responses, including vehicle pursuits;
Foot pursuits;
Searches;
Arrests;
Uses of force, including any transportation of the subject;
In-custody transports of persons who are uncooperative, belligerent, or
threatening;
Suspect, victim, and witness interviews (except as indicated below); and/or
Any encounter with a member of the public who is or becomes uncooperative,
belligerent, or otherwise hostile.

Department personnel may activate their BWC for the following reasons:
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Transportation of a citizen; and/or
Other investigative or enforcement activities where, in the Department member's
judgment, a video recording would assist in the investigation or prosecution of a

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crime or when a recording of an encounter would assist in documenting the
incident for later investigation or review.
3-06/200.10 INABILITY TO ACTIVATE BODY WORN CAMERA PRIOR TO
INITIATING ENFORCEMENT OR INVESTIGATIVE CONTACT
If a Department member fails to or is unable to activate their body worn camera (BWC)
prior to initiating any of the enforcement or investigative contacts listed in section 306/200.08, they shall activate it as soon as it is practical and safe to do so. As in all
enforcement or investigative contacts including vehicle and pedestrian stops, the safety
of Department personnel and members of the public are the highest priorities. A
member who fails to activate a BWC because an incident unfolds too quickly making
activation impracticable or unsafe does not violate this policy.
3-06/200.13 RECORDING OF THE ENTIRE CONTACT
The body worn camera (BWC) shall continue recording until the enforcement or
investigative contact involving a member of the public has ended. If an investigative or
enforcement contact involving a member of the public resumes after the video has
stopped, the Department member shall reactivate the BWC device and continue
recording.
3-06/200.15 DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR FAILING TO ACTIVATE BODY
WORN CAMERA OR RECORDING THE DURATION OF THE CONTACT
If a Department member is unable or fails to activate their body worn camera (BWC)
prior to initiating an enforcement or investigative contact, fails to record an entire
contact, or interrupts the recording for any reason, other than the exceptions listed in
section 3-06/200.18, they shall document their reasons in any accompanying log
entries, reports, memoranda, and metadata.
3-06/200.18 BODY WORN CAMERA RECORDING EXCEPTIONS
Department members may stop a recording of the body worn camera (BWC) during a
required activation period with a member of the public when:
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A witness or victim refuses to provide a recorded statement and the encounter is
non-confrontational;
In the Department member’s judgment, a recording would interfere with their
ability to conduct an investigation, or may be inappropriate, because of the victim
or witness' physical condition, emotional state, age, or other sensitive
circumstances (e.g., a victim of rape, incest, or other form of sexual assault);
The recording would risk the safety of a confidential informant, citizen informant,
or undercover officer; and/or

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Inside patient-care areas of a hospital, rape treatment center, or other healthcare
facility unless an enforcement action is taken in these areas.

Department members may stop a recording during a required activation period, while
not engaged with a member of the public, when:
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Discussing points-of-law, tactics, or debriefing an incident with other Department
members or other law enforcement agencies away from any member of the
public;
Directed to do so by an on-scene supervisor at the rank of sergeant or above;
A deputy participating in the field training program is directed to do so for the
purpose of providing instruction and/or insight in furtherance of the training
mission; and/or
Performing station details entered as a call for service, such as mail runs,
message deliveries, that will not involve contacts with members of the public.

If a recording exception is utilized by a BWC-equipped Department member, they shall:
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Announce the reason for stopping the video prior to turning the BWC recording
off.
Document the deactivation reason in the metadata file for the event in the Digital
Evidence Management System (DEMS); and
Document the deactivation in any associated written report.

3-06/200.20 LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF CUSTODY FACILITIES
Department members are permitted to use a body worn camera (BWC) inside any
Department custody facility for recording any investigative or enforcement activity.
Department members are prohibited from recording a strip search pursuant to section 503/030.05 of this manual.
Department members shall not initiate a BWC recording in areas where inmates are
engaged in attorney-client privileged communications, unless an enforcement action is
taken in these areas.
3-06/200.23 LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURTHOUSES
Department members shall not initiate a recording of a body worn camera (BWC) in a
courtroom that is in session, unless an investigative or enforcement action is taken in
these areas.
Department members shall not initiate a BWC recording of inmates in secured areas
designated and marked as attorney rooms or satellite lockup areas of attorney/client
communications, except by court order or emergency.

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On-duty Department members who appear in court to testify while equipped with a
BWC shall turn the camera to the “recording off” position to avoid unauthorized
recording of a courtroom proceeding.
If a Department member accidentally initiates a recording inside a courtroom while court
is in session, the member shall immediately notify the court and their immediate
supervisor of the existence of the recording. The supervisor will communicate any
direction from the court to the Body Worn Camera Unit (BWCU). The BWCU will
facilitate compliance with any and all orders by the court.
3-06/200.25 CONFIDENTIAL NATURE OF RECORDINGS
Body Worn Camera (BWC) use is limited to enforcement or investigative activities
involving members of the public. The BWC recordings will capture video and audio
evidence for use in criminal investigations, administrative reviews, and other
proceedings protected by confidentiality laws and Department policy. Department
members shall comply with all applicable laws and policies regarding confidential
information. Unauthorized use or release of BWC recordings may compromise ongoing
criminal and administrative investigations or violate the privacy rights of those recorded.
Any unauthorized use or release of BWC recordings in violation of confidentiality laws
and/or Department policies is prohibited.
3-06/200.28 PROHIBITION AGAINST MODIFICATION OF RECORDINGS
Department members shall not copy, edit, alter, erase, or otherwise modify in any
manner body worn camera (BWC) recordings except as authorized by law or
Department policy.
3-06/200.30 NOTICE TO MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC OF BODY WORN CAMERA
RECORDING
Department members may, but are not required to, inform individuals that they are
being recorded. Department members are not required to obtain consent from
members of the public when the member is lawfully in the area where the recording
takes place. For example, a member who lawfully enters a business or residence shall
record any enforcement or investigative contact in accordance with this policy, and is
not required to obtain consent from members of the public who may also be present.
Department members shall not playback body worn camera (BWC) recordings for any
member of the public absent the need to do so for purposes of conducting or furthering
an investigation or in exigent circumstances.
3-06/200.33 PROHIBITION AGAINST RECORDING PERSONNEL IN
NON-ENFORCEMENT OR INVESTIGATION SITUATIONS

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Body Worn Camera (BWC) equipment shall only be used in conjunction with official law
enforcement and investigative activities involving members of the public. BWCs shall
not be used to record Department personnel during briefings, meetings, trainings, or
while in private spaces such as locker rooms, restrooms, or private offices. BWCs shall
not be used to record Department personnel in any Department facility, except in the
context of enforcement or investigative contacts involving a member of the public.
3-06/200.35 DEPARTMENT ISSUED EQUIPMENT ONLY
Department members shall not use personally owned body worn cameras.
3-06/200.38 PROPERTY OF THE DEPARTMENT
Body Worn Camera (BWC) equipment and all data, images, video, and metadata
captured, recorded, or otherwise produced is the sole property of the Department and
any unauthorized release is strictly prohibited.
3-06/200.40 TRAINING REQUIRED
Department members who are assigned a body worn camera (BWC) must complete
Department-approved training in the proper use, maintenance, and policies of the
devices and Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) before deploying a BWC or
utilizing DEMS.
3-06/200.43 INSPECTION AND TESTING OF EQUIPMENT
Body worn camera (BWC) equipment is the responsibility of the assigned Department
member and will be used with reasonable care to ensure proper functioning and
reliability. At the start of a shift, members shall inspect and test their BWC and make
sure it is undamaged and operating properly.
3-06/200.45 DAMAGED, MALFUNCTIONING, OR INOPERABLE EQUIPMENT
If a Department member’s body worn camera (BWC) malfunctions or is damaged, the
member shall notify the watch sergeant and complete an e-mail to the Body Worn
Camera Unit (BWCU). The member is required to provide the malfunctioning or
damaged equipment to the watch sergeant and obtain a functional BWC as soon as
practicable.
3-06/200.48 IDENTIFYING RECORDINGS
For each incident recorded on a body worn camera (BWC), Department members shall
enter metadata for the event type and other required information using the BWC
equipment and software that best describes the content of the recording (i.e. arrest,
traffic stop, report) prior to the end of their shift. BWC recordings are not a replacement

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for written reports or other required documentation such as a log summary in the
Deputy Daily Worksheet (DDWS).
3-06/200.50 STORAGE OF RECORDINGS
At the end of each shift, members shall upload all body worn camera (BWC) recordings
to secure storage by docking the device at the station/unit.
3-06/200.53 VIEWING OF BODY WORN CAMERA RECORDINGS
All body worn camera (BWC) video will be reviewed only on a right-to-know and needto-know basis, and will only be viewed in furtherance of a criminal investigation,
administrative necessity, or audit. Recordings shall not be routinely or randomly viewed
solely for the purpose of searching for policy violations where no independent allegation
or evidence of a policy violation exists.
Department members are permitted to view BWC recordings through two mediums
(Department-issued smartphone device or Department computer). All Department
members who view a video other than their own shall document in the audit trail their
reason for viewing the video.
The accuracy of reports, Department member statements, and other official
documentation is essential for the proper administration of justice and complying with
the Department's obligation to maintain full and complete records of enforcement and
investigative activities. Investigators, supervisors, prosecutors, and other officials rely
on complete and accurate records to perform their essential duties and responsibilities.
Department members are encouraged to review BWC recordings on their assigned
smartphone device or Department computer prior to documenting an enforcement or
investigative activity to ensure their reports, statements, and documentation are as
accurate and complete as possible.
If a Department member does not review the BWC recording before submitting a report,
the member must document that fact in the report. If any portion of an enforcement or
investigative contact resulting in an arrest was captured by BWC equipment, members
shall identify the existence of a BWC recording in all reports.
3-06/200.55 USE OF FORCE INCIDENTS
Category 1 or Category 2 Use of Force Incidents
Department members involved in or witnessing Category 1 or Category 2 use of force
incidents shall be permitted to review body worn camera (BWC) recordings and, if
deemed necessary by the handling supervisor, review other recordings to ensure
complete and accurate reports and documentation of the incident.

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Category 3 Use of Force Incidents, Including Deputy-Involved Shootings
Department members involved in or witnessing known Category 3 use of force
incidents, including deputy-involved shootings, shall not view any recordings until
authorized by the handling Internal Affairs Bureau (IAB) lieutenant or, in cases where
IAB does not handle the matter, the handling Homicide Bureau lieutenant or watch
commander.
Once authorized, the Department member shall have a right to review their BWC
recording and any other relevant video recording in possession of the Department, as
deemed appropriate by the assigned lieutenant, prior to being interviewed.
A Department member may have an employee representative present during the review
of the BWC recording(s) without any investigator or supervisor present. The separation
and monitoring of Department members involved in a shooting shall be maintained
during the review of BWC recording(s) and such review shall not occur jointly among
involved members.
Supervisor’s Responsibilities
Following a known Category 3 use of force incident, including deputy-involved
shootings, the on-scene supervisor shall, once the scene is secured:
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Take possession of all BWCs devices from involved personnel;
Power off the devices and secure them;
Turn the devices over to the handling lieutenant or watch commander; and
Upload the video and secure the viewing rights, or ensure a member of the Body
Worn Camera Unit (BWCU) does so.

For deputy-involved hit shootings and in-custody deaths, the handling Homicide Bureau
lieutenant will authorize the review of video by the involved Department member. For
non-hit shootings and known Category 3 use of force incidents, the IAB force shooting
response team lieutenant will authorize the review of video by the involved Department
member. For Category 3 use of force incidents not handled by Homicide Bureau or
IAB, the unit watch commander will authorize the review of video by the involved
Department member.
3-06/200.58 GUIDELINES FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEWS OF BODY WORN
CAMERA RECORDINGS
The Department requires thorough documentation and multiple levels of review for all
incidents resulting in an administrative documentation packet, including but not limited
to:
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Use of force;

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Allegation of force;
Foot pursuit;
Vehicle pursuit;
Watch Commander Service Comment Report (WCSCR);
On-duty traffic collision;
Civil claim; or
Lawsuit.

Unit commanders determining appropriate and reasonable responses to possible
misconduct and other deviations from established policies and procedures discovered
during the review of body worn camera (BWC) recordings shall be guided by the
following:
Administrative Documentation Packet Review
An Administrative Documentation Packet Review is the evaluation of a BWC recording
in connection with, but not limited to, use of force, allegation of force, foot pursuit,
vehicle pursuit, Watch Commander Service Comment Report (WCSCR). On-duty traffic
collisions, civil claims, or lawsuits should focus on the incident that is the subject of
review, and not broaden into allegations of misconduct based on conduct observed that
was not part of, or irrelevant to, the main inquiry. Consistent with this section, unit
commanders shall evaluate the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident and
exercise appropriate judgment to determine if the Department member should receive
counseling, training, or a performance log entry to correct the behavior, unless the
conduct observed would likely result in suspension or termination.
Note: Conduct observed in a BWC recording connected with an audit, inspection, or
administrative review, should not become the sole basis for allegations of
misconduct unrelated to the incident that is the subject of the review. However,
allegations of misconduct may be appropriate when the conduct observed would
likely result in suspension or termination.
When supervisory and management personnel conduct audits, inspections, or reviews
of BWC recordings and discover activity that may constitute misconduct, the
Department member’s actions in the BWC recordings alone should not result in the
initiation of an administrative investigation. Rather, the member should receive
counseling, training, or a performance log entry to alert them and correct their behavior.
However, the foregoing does not apply where the activity discovered would likely result
in suspension or termination.
False and/or Misleading Statement Complaints/Allegations
If the Department intentionally withholds a BWC recording from a Department member
before they are required to submit to an interview or complete an official report, the
withheld BWC recording will not be used as the sole basis for the Department’s initiation

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of a complaint or allegation against the Department member for making a false and/or
misleading statement unless the Department can otherwise establish that the
Department member made an intentionally false material statement. When considering
allegations of false and/or misleading statements in any case involving a BWC
recording, the Department will consider the materiality of the discrepancy and factors
that are reasonably likely to affect the Department member’s memory including the
stress caused by the incident, the time elapsed between the incident and the interview,
and fatigue.
The Department will also take into account that a BWC recording may not include the
full incident, the context of the incident known or understood by the Department
member at the time, the precise viewpoint or perspective of the Department member, or
what the Department member heard.
Note: It is not the intent of the Department to initiate complaints or additional
allegations of false and/or misleading statements for discrepancies between a
Department member’s memory of an incident and what is on the BWC recording
unless there is a material discrepancy.
Unintentionally Recorded Personal Communications
In the event an employee’s personal communication is recorded, the personal
communication will not be used to initiate an administrative investigation or used against
an employee in the adjudication of a personnel complaint, or during any subsequent
hearings, unless there is independent evidence or allegations of criminal conduct or
misconduct that would likely result in suspension or termination that may be confirmed
by the video.
90-Day Transition Period
During the first 90 days a member is assigned a BWC, following completion of training,
unintentional deviations in policy and procedure in the use and deployment of a BWC
will be considered training issues. During the transition period, Department employees
should receive non-documented counseling and training only. Performance log entries
should not be generated.
Note: This does not apply to intentional acts to circumvent Department policy and
procedure, such as intentionally not activating a BWC when required,
intentionally de-activating a BWC prior to completion of an incident, or disabling
or tampering with a BWC. Such acts will not be considered a training issue
within the 90-day transition period.
Upon completion of the 90-day transition period, Department members will be expected
to be proficient in the use and deployment of the BWC. For corrective action after the
transition period, unit commanders may use counseling, training, and performance log

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entries for unintentional deviations, in lieu of initiating an administrative investigation,
unless an administrative investigation is deemed warranted due to the frequency of
violations.
Demonstrably False Allegations
Consistent with Department policy, all allegations of misconduct initiated by a member
of the public must be recorded on a Watch Commander Service Comment Report
(WCSCR). However, when a BWC recording clearly establishes that an allegation of
misconduct is false, the watch commander may terminate the WCSCR under the
authority of “Watch Commander Discretion.” The watch commander should mark the
box; “Watch Commander has personal knowledge the complaint is false.” The watch
commander shall state in the memorandum they have reviewed the video and
specifically why the video is the basis for the “false complaint” disposition.
3-06/200.60 TRAINING
Body worn camera (BWC) recordings may be used for training purposes. Prior to the
use of any BWC video for training, any involved Department member shall be given the
opportunity to object to its viewing.
3-06/200.63 SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervisors assigned to a unit with body worn camera (BWC) equipped personnel shall:
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Ensure that personnel assigned BWC equipment have completed Departmentrequired training and are familiar with applicable policies and procedures;
Conduct periodic inspections of personnel assigned BWC equipment and ensure
the BWC is properly affixed to their uniforms and fully operable;
Ensure members upload all BWC recordings at the end of their shifts;
Review relevant BWC recordings prior to submitting any administrative reports
(e.g. use of force, allegation of force, foot pursuit, vehicle pursuit, Watch
Commander Service Comment Report, on-duty traffic collision, civil claim, or
lawsuit);
Perform field audits for compliance;
Ensure personnel report all damaged BWC equipment to the Body Worn Camera
Unit (BWCU) and ensure a replacement BWC is assigned to the Department
member;
Review relevant BWC recordings and documents when performing inspections
and audits;
Conduct daily inspections of all BWC docking equipment to ensure they are
active;
Inspect any BWC devices returned as inoperative;

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Conduct briefings on expectations, use, and maintenance of the BWC equipment
and debrief BWC captured incidents of training value;
Review deviations from BWC policy and procedures and take appropriate action;
Review supervisor inspections regarding defective equipment, systems, and
ensure necessary steps are taken to have them repaired; and
Ensure inspections of sworn personnel assigned BWC’s are being conducted
and document such inspections in the watch commander log.

3-06/200.65 UNIT COMMANDER RESPONSIBILITY
Unit commanders are responsible for ensuring compliance with body worn camera
(BWC) training, policies, and procedures by ensuring supervisors regularly monitor and
inspect BWC equipment under their command.
3-06/200.68 BODY WORN CAMERA UNIT RESPONSIBILITIES
The Body Worn Camera Unit (BWCU) is responsible for the Department’s body worn
camera (BWC) program, including all associated equipment, software, BWC
smartphones and the Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS). The BWCU will
be responsible for:
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Issuing all BWC equipment;
All training related to the BWC program;
Coordinating warranty service and maintenance through Department-approved
vendor;
Providing technical assistance;
Acting as subject matter experts;
Coordinating the replacement of inoperable, malfunctioning, or damaged
equipment and/or systems;
Conducting system compliance audits;
Conducting annual command inspections;
Any Public Records Act request as it relates to BWC video records;
Any redaction of BWC video records for public release;
Providing access to users of DEMS;
Fulfilling requests for any BWC records in furtherance of any investigation;
Providing statistical and analytical support for BWC and DEMS;
Category 3 use of force on-scene upload, file restriction, and forensic review.

3-06/200.70 DIGITAL EVIDENCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (DEMS)
The Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) is the Department’s official
repository for body worn camera (BWC) digital evidence. The DEMS system tracking
will be the official record of digital evidence chain-of-custody. The Property, Evidence
and Laboratory Information Management System (PRELIMS) will continue to be the

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system for tracking physical evidence, including physical media which stores digital
files.
3-06/200.73 RETENTION
All body worn camera (BWC) records will be stored by the cloud-based Digital Evidence
Management System (DEMS) from the manufacturers for the term of the contract using
the following criteria:
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All recordings shall be retained for a minimum period of three years;
Recordings associated with an URN number and a statistical code which
represents a 9 retention, shall be held for 9 years; and
Recordings associated with an URN number and a statistical code which
represents a 0 retention shall be held indefinitely.

With respect to any incident that requires administrative documentation including, but
not limited to, a traffic collision, employee injury, use of force, allegation of force, Watch
Commander Service Comment Report (WCSCR), vehicle pursuit, foot pursuit, civil
claim, or damage to property, the involved supervisors are responsible for adding the
categorization of “Administrative Hold” for the concerned BWC records in the DEMS.
3-06/200.75 PUBLIC RELEASE OF CRITICAL INCIDENTS
Notwithstanding any other statutory or policy provision, the Department shall retain the
sole discretion to publicly release any portion of body worn camera (BWC) recordings
upon the approval of the Sheriff, or his designee, under any of the following conditions:
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The release of any portion of such BWC recordings may assist with the
furtherance of an ongoing investigation; and/or
The release of any portion of such BWC recordings may serve to dispel
erroneous or inaccurate information in the public domain or may otherwise serve
to educate the public without interfering with any ongoing investigation.

Nothing in this section shall be considered a waiver of any statutory provisions or
otherwise require the public release of any portion of any BWC recording or other
materials not released under such terms.
In response to any written request under the California Public Records Act (PRA), BWC
video and audio recordings of any critical incident (defined below) shall be subject to
release unless any of the following conditions apply:


If the release of any such recording(s) would substantially interfere with an active
criminal or administrative investigation, disclosure may be delayed for up to fortyfive calendar days after the date the Department knew or reasonably should
have known about the critical incident. If such delay is asserted, the Department

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shall provide the requester with a written response specifying the basis for the
delay and an estimated date for disclosure;
If after the forty-five days it is determined the release of such recording(s) would
continue to substantially interfere with an active criminal or administrative
investigation, disclosure may be further delayed up to one year with written
notice to the requester of the specific basis for the further delay and an estimated
date for disclosure;
Any delay beyond a total of one year must be supported by clear and convincing
evidence that release of the recording(s) would substantially interfere with an
active criminal or administrative investigation. The requester shall promptly be
provided with a written response setting forth the specific basis for the
determination that the interest in preventing interference with an active
investigation outweighs the public's interest in disclosure, as well as an estimated
date for release. Such delay shall be reassessed every thirty days with ongoing
written notice to the requester; or
If, at any time, it is determined that, based on the facts and circumstances
depicted in any recording, that the public interest in withholding such recording
clearly outweighs the public interest in disclosure due to a violation of the
reasonable expectation of privacy of any subject depicted in the recording, the
requester shall be promptly provided with written notice of the specific basis for
the expectation of privacy and the public interest served by withholding the
recording.

The Department may use redaction technology to blur or distort images or audio in
order to obscure specific portions of the recording in order to protect the privacy interest
of any subject depicted in the recording.
Where a recording is withheld from the public because the reasonable expectation of
privacy of a subject depicted in the recording cannot be adequately protected through
the use of redaction technology and that interest outweighs the public interest in
disclosure, the recording (redacted or unredacted) may nonetheless be disclosed
(subject to any applicable delays), upon written request, if so doing does not pose an
unreasonable threat to, or endanger the lives of, the peace officers or any person
depicted therein, of any of the following:
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The subject of the recording whose privacy is to be protected, or his or her
authorized representative;
The parent or legal guardian of any minor whose privacy is to be protected; or
The heir, beneficiary, designated immediate family member or authorized legal
representative or guardian of the deceased person whose privacy is to be
protected;

For purposes of this policy, video and audio recordings of any critical incident shall
include any of the following:

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Any incident involving the discharge of a firearm at a person by a Department
member;
Any incident involving a strike with an impact weapon or projectile to the head or
neck of a person by a Department member;
Any incident in which the use of force by a Department member against a person
results in death or great bodily injury, including, but not limited to, loss of
consciousness, concussion, bone fracture, protracted loss or impairment of
function of any bodily member or organ, a wound requiring extensive suturing, or
serious disfigurement; and/or
The death of any arrestee or detainee in custody.

Notifications
Absent exigent circumstances, reasonable attempts shall be made to notify the
following individuals or entities prior to the release of video:
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Department members depicted in the video and/or significantly involved in the
use of force;
Subject upon whom force was used;
If the subject upon whom force was used is deceased, the next of kin;
If the subject upon whom force was used is a juvenile, the subject's parents or
legal guardian;
If the subject upon whom force was used is represented by legal counsel, and
such representation is known to the Department;
District Attorney's Office and/or City Attorney's Office;
Employee unions representing Department members; and
Other individuals or entities connected to the incident as deemed by the
Department as appropriate to notify.

Dated October 15, 2019