“Keep Orlando a safe city by reducing crime and maintaining livable neighborhoods.
”
ORLANDO POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE
1140.7, MOBILE VIDEO RECORDING SYSTEMS
EFFECTIVE: 1/25/2022
RESCINDS: 1140.6
DISTRIBUTION: ALL EMPLOYEES
REVIEW RESPONSIBILITY: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES BUREAU COMMANDER
ACCREDITATION CHAPTERS: NONE
CHIEF OF POLICE: ORLANDO ROLÓN
CONTENTS:
1. DEFINITIONS
2. IN-CAR CAMERAS
3. BODY-WORN CAMERA PROCEDURES
4. DOCUMENTATION
5. MOBILE VIDEO SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR
6. DISSEMINATION
7. STORAGE AND RETENTION
8. TRAINING
POLICY:
It shall be the policy of the Orlando Police Department to utilize the Body-Worn Camera (BWC) and the In-Car Camera
equipment, collectively referred to as “Mobile Video Recording Systems,” to document law enforcement interaction with
the public with video and audio recordings. Through the use of mobile recording systems, this agency will better protect
the rights of citizens and police officers while balancing privacy interests.
Mobile video recording systems are not a substitute for a member’s reasonable beliefs and perceptions, and cannot
account for a member’s physiological responses during certain incidents, such as visual tunneling and auditory exclusion.
Mobile video recording systems should not be viewed as the only measure of truth because they may show more or less
than what the member sees/hears/observes. Mobile video recording systems, however, have an important but limited
use as one of many policing tools.
PROCEDURES:
1. DEFINITIONS
Body-Worn Camera (BWC): A recording system that captures audio and video that is individually worn by assigned
members and includes, at a minimum, a camera and audio recorder.
Evidence Transfer Station: A docking station used to recharge and upload previously-recorded audio and video (stored
media) from the BWC.
In-Car Camera: A mobile video recording device installed in a police vehicle.
Livestreaming: The activation of a live video stream from an officers BWC. This feature is only available while an officers
BWC is actively recording.
Mobile Video Recording System: A device that includes a camera and a recorder that allows members to audio/video
record live incidents of law enforcement encounters.
Mobile Video System Administrator (MVSA): Department member with full administrator rights who assigns and tracks
equipment, controls passwords, acts as liaison with equipment vendor representatives, and is the department’s subject
matter expert on all vehicle and body-worn devices.
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2. IN-CAR CAMERAS
The assigned member shall ensure that the equipment is operating and positioned properly. Any problems should be
brought to the attention of the Mobile Video Systems Administrator and the member’s supervisor in an email immediately.
The in-car camera system is active at all times during patrol functions The equipment will automatically activate from the
standby mode when the vehicle’s emergency lighting is in operation. The equipment can also be activated when the
officer presses the record button on the in-car camera. When activated automatically, the in-car camera shall record
the incident until concluded, or the officer leaves the scene.
Members shall activate the in-car camera and its microphone whenever a traffic stop is conducted or there is a potential
for dealing with a suspect of a crime. This would include, but is not limited to, suspicious persons contacts or calls for
service. The in-car camera may be activated whenever the officer feels its use would be beneficial to his/her police
duties. Deactivation shall not occur until enforcement action is complete.
The in-car camera system does not permit deletion or alteration by users. The user is responsible for properly classifying
and uploading each recording.
In-car camera equipment will be inspected during annual vehicle inspections conducted by the appropriate bureau.
3. BODY-WORN CAMERA PROCEDURES
The Body-Worn Camera (BWC) is an additional means of documenting specific incidents in the field. Specific uses of
the BWC are:
a) To enhance member safety.
b) To capture crimes in progress, whether perpetrated against the member or the community, and to maintain
evidence for presentation in court.
c) To document initial police response, the discovery of evidentiary items, and the actions of the member pursuant
to an investigation.
d) To augment member safety when a citizen should reasonably know his or her actions and statements are being
recorded.
e) To reduce unreasonable or false complaints made against members of the department in the course of their
duties.
f) To serve as a training and performance mechanism to ensure professionalism
3.1 MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Inspection and general maintenance of the BWC shall be the responsibility of the assigned member. The
equipment shall be operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommended guidelines and in
compliance with agency training.
2. The BWC shall remain in a powered-on state and shall be worn by the member in accordance with section
3.3 of this policy until the conclusion of an officer’s tour of duty. This is applicable to all members assigned a
BWC. Undercover units are exempt from utilizing a BWC except when engaging in law enforcement activity
with the expected result of apprehending a suspect or when executing a search warrant. Members may also
power off their BWC while inside an OPD facility if they are not engaged in law enforcement actions as
enumerated in section 3.2 of this policy or any other policy. Members shall power their BWC back on upon
leaving the OPD facility or upon engaging in a law enforcement activity.
3. Prior to the beginning of each shift, the assigned member shall perform an inspection to ensure that the BWC
is functional and fully charged. The camera features an LCD screen to indicate the operating mode and battery
capacity. The BWC will emit audio prompts or beeps notifying the member of the system status, some of which
may require the member’s immediate attention. The battery status can be located on the BWC by checking
the LCD screen on the top of the camera. Members are responsible for monitoring battery power status to
ensure their BWC has sufficient battery chargefor the duration of their shift, as well as any extra duty work
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scheduled outside their tour of duty.
4. Malfunctions or other operational problems, damage, loss, or theft of the BWC must be immediately reported
to the member’s supervisor and the Mobile Video System Administrator (MVSA) via email. An incident report
shall be completed any time a BWC is damaged, lost, or stolen. spare/replacement equipment will be
obtained from the MVSA during normal business hours. During non- business hours, a Watch
Commander can obtain a spare/replacement BWC from the Quartermaster Unit. An email shall be
sent to the MVSA documenting the serial number, member’s name, and the timeframe during which
the camera was used. Since each BWC is specific to only one member, this is the only way that
recordings associated with the member can be captured.
5. Members shall only use mounts approved by the Orlando Police Department.
6. All members assigned a BWC who are in uniform and engaged in law enforcement-related activity, to include
overtime details or extra-duty are required to wear and utilize the BWC.
7. It is the responsibility of every member to ensure their issued BWC is operating with the most recent firmware
updates from the manufacturer. Officers are required to leave their BWC docked in a docking station that is
connected to the internet for a minimum of three consecutive hours once per month OR connect their BWC
to the digital evidence management software and manually update the firmware once per month.
3.2 ACTIVATION OF THE BODY-WORN CAMERA
Buffering occurs in the first 60 seconds prior to activation. Only video is recorded during buffering.
A member shall activate the BWC immediately prior to arriving on scene and coming to a complete stop if the member was
dispatched.
In addition, a member shall activate the BWC immediately at the beginning of the following situations, regardless of
whether the member was dispatched, requested by a fellow officer, or the activity was self-initiated, to include but not
limited to:
▪ traffic stops
▪ priority responses
▪ vehicle pursuits
▪ suspicious persons/vehicle contacts
▪ arrests
▪ vehicle searches
▪ physical or verbal confrontations
▪ domestic violence calls
▪ DUI investigations
▪ Interviews/interrogations
▪ foot pursuits
▪ advising an individual of their Miranda warnings
▪ responses to resistance
▪ crimes in progress
▪ taking a statement or information from a suspect or witness
▪ any situation or incident that the member, through training and experience, believes should be audibly and/or
visually preserved
▪ When directed by a supervisor to activate their BWC
Members shall also ensure that upon activation of their BWC, the BWC is positioned in a forward-facing direction and
attached to the members’ shoulder, chest, or waist.
The body worn camera features several auto-activation features. These include, but are not limited to, activation or
deployment of the conducted energy weapon (CEW, or Taser), drawing a firearm from a duty holster, and activation of an
in-car camera system. Auto-activation is a convenience feature for officers, and not intended to be a replacement for manual
activation. It is ultimately each officer’s responsibility to ensure their issued BWC is activated in accordance with
this policy.
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3.3 DEACTIVATION OF THE BODY-WORN CAMERA
Once the camera is activated to record it may not be deactivated until the member has been cleared from the call.
Members shall have their BWC recording while transporting any person for a law enforcement activity.
Any employee involved in a vehicle pursuit shall not deactivate their BWC or other mobile video recording systems until
the pursuit has ended as outlined in policy 1120, Vehicle Pursuits.
Members providing on-scene assistance to other law enforcement agencies shall notify them that the incident is being
recorded.
If at any point during an activation a member has reason to deactivate the BWC prior to the final conclusion of an incident,
that member will verbally state the reason for the deactivation while the BWC is still recording.
When members are interacting with victims, witnesses, and others from the community who request not to be recorded,
members shall:
1. Balance the value of obtaining a recording with the reluctance of a victim, witness or others from the community
to provide information while being recorded.
2. Members should use discretion in making the decision.
3. If the suspect of a crime is present, the member shall not turn off the BWC.
Members engaged in an incident who realize they failed to activate their BWC at the onset shall activate the camera as
soon as practical. If a member fails to activate their BWC during a required situation or part of a situation, or interrupts
or terminates the recording, they shall notify their supervisor as soon as reasonably possible and shall document the
reason to their supervisor via a memorandum or an email. The supervisor should retain the email or memorandums to
identify any problems. In cases where an official written report of the incident is required, the member shall document in
the report the reason they failed to activate, interrupted, or terminated the recording.
Any violation of any aspect of Policy 1140 will result in discipline as described in Article 24.9 of the 2019-2022 collective
bargaining agreement.
3.4 PROHIBITED RECORDINGS AND ACTIONS
Unless conducting official law enforcement business that requires the member to use the BWC, the following is a list
that members must adhere to:
1. The BWC will not be used to record personal activity.
2. The BWC will not be intentionally activated to record conversations of fellow employees without their knowledge
during routine, non-enforcement-related activities.
3. The BWC will not be used to record confidential informants or undercover operations.
4. Unless the BWC is being used as part of an official law enforcement incident, the BWC will not be activated in
places where a reasonable expectation of privacy exists, such as, but not limited to, locker rooms, dressing
room, or restrooms.
5. Members will not make copies of any recordings for their personal use.
6. Members are prohibited from allowing anyone else to use another recording device to record media captured
from the BWC.
7. Members shall not erase, alter, reuse, modify or tamper with any recording. Only the authorized MVSA may
erase any previously-recorded digital recording.
8. Members shall not post BWC footage to any social media site without prior written approval from the Chief of
Police or the Chief’s designee.
9. Members assigned the BWC will not allow citizens to review the recordings except in furtherance of your
official duties or unless otherwise authorized by policy.
10. Members shall not lead a person to believe the BWC has been deactivated when, in fact, the BWC is left active.
11. No member shall use a BWC not assigned to them. Only authorized supervisors or the MVSA can assign a
BWC to a member.
12. Members shall not use the BWC to replace a written report or required written statements.
13. Members are not permitted to use personally owned or non-department issued recording devices to record official
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duties. This does not apply to officers utilizing approved mobile applications on personal devices.
Juvenile School Location: Members shall not activate a body camera while on the grounds of any public, private or
parochial elementary, middle or high or secondary school, except when responding to an imminent threat to life or where there
is a potential for law enforcement activity.
Medical Facilities: Unless conducting official law enforcement duties, members shall not record patients during medical or
psychological evaluations by a clinician or similar professional, or during treatment. Members shall be aware of patients’
rights to privacy when in hospital settings. When recording in hospitals and other medical facilities, officers shall be careful to
avoid recording persons other than the individual of interest.
3.5 UPLOADING PROCEDURES
Members shall upload their assigned BWC prior to the device reaching maximum storage capacity. At a minimum, members
are required to upload the camera every other shift and prior to the beginning of their scheduled days off. Any functionality
or serviceability problem shall be reported immediately to the MVSA and the member’s supervisor.
Each shift, all members shall verify that any evidence collected with a mobile recording system during their prior shift is
correctly labeled with the case number and category.
When dispatched by CAD, certain members may be assisted by auto-tagging which allows for recorded videos to be
automatically tagged with metadata. However, this is a convenience feature and may not be relied upon solely for correct
information for collected evidence. Auto-tagging is not available to assist members in specialized units who do not rely upon
CAD for their location/activities. For any corrections made or information manually entered, case numbers shall be added in
the same format as listed in CAD, e.g. 2021-00123456, and categories shall be entered based upon the appropriate retention
schedule.
When a member becomes aware that any additional retention category is applicable to a mobile recording system file, it
shall be manually added to the file by the end of their shift. Such additional retention categories shall include, but are not
limited to response to resistance, officer injury, homicide, INOI, or public records request.
Members are encouraged to dock their BWC while at an OPD facility that is equipped with a docking station.
3.6 SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervisors are encouraged to ensure that all personnel assigned to their unit have uploaded their recordings as
required by Section 3.5. Supervisors shall conduct monthly, random inspections of their assigned officers, BWC
equipment to confirm that it is in proper working order and all officers are complying with the mobile video recording
systems policy and procedures.
Supervisors will conduct random reviews of subordinate body cam video footage using the automated system. The
automated system will generate video clips to be viewed, recorded by officers assigned to the supervisor. The
supervisor shall review each video in its entirety, verify the video is labeled with the correct incident number and
applicable retention category, and acknowledge the completion of the review in the system. Observations made by
the supervisor may be documented within the automated system. Supervisors shall complete video reviews until
designated complete within the automated system or until no further videos are provided on a monthly basis. The
supervisor shall review any written records related to the video clip that exist or take note that none exist but should
have been completed. It is the responsibility of the supervisor to provide any follow-up actions discovered from the
review.
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Supervisors will review recordings of all officers involved in the following incidents:
▪ Injury to a member(s)
▪ Injury to a prisoner
▪ Response to resistance
▪ When any member of the Department intentionally or unintentionally discharges a firearm
▪ Vehicle pursuits
▪ Vehicle crashes involving LEOs
▪ Citizen complaints
▪ Documented internal complaints
▪ As directed by the Chief of Police, Deputy Chief of Police, Professional Standards Division Commander, the
Internal Affairs Manager, The Department Labor Advisor, or the Police Legal Advisor’s Office.
Supervisors may also review video footage for documenting exemplary performance, heroic actions, and/or other
praiseworthy service for appropriate recognition and commendation.
BWC footage is considered public record and available upon request to anyone in accordance with public records laws,
unless there is a statutory exemption. Supervisors are not limited to the scope or reason of their review for officers they
are responsible for. Examples of their review may include the following:
▪ Training
▪ Critique
▪ Early Intervention inquiries
▪ Civil claims
▪ Administrative inquiries
▪ Addressing behavioral or performance deficiencies
3.7 REVIEW OF RECORDINGS
Officers may review their recorded videos to correctly document incidents, such as police reports and charging
affidavits. Reviewing BWC footage recorded by another officer that was not assisting with a mutual investigation
shall be done for official purposes only and shall not be viewed for any other purpose. When officers view recordings
captured by other officers, the officer viewing the video shall provide an explanation in the “Notes” section of that
recording. That explanation will further document the official purpose of the review. Generalized statements, such
as “training” or “safety” will not be considered sufficient, with the exception of the Professional Standards, Internal
Affairs, or Crime Center sections. Failure to comply with this section may result in disciplinary action.
Members involved in certain incidents, as outlined in section 6 of this policy, may not review the BWC footage
recorded by any other member without the express authorization of the Chief of Police, or the Chief’s designee.
Notwithstanding this policy, officers shall be allowed to view all evidence, including body camera videos, prior to any
investigative interview of that officer as required by the Officer’s Bill of Rights.
3.8 LIVESTREAMING
Livestreaming is not intended to replace proper response by personnel or for purposes other than those outlined
below.
3.8.1 Authorized users
a) Authorized users provided with the livestreaming feature are limited to sworn members assigned to the Crime
Center and all sworn members with the rank of lieutenant or higher.
b) Sworn members of the Crime Center shall be the primary users of the livestream feature during Crime Center
operating hours. All other authorized users should refrain from using the livestreaming feature during Crime
Center operating hours to avoid causing any technical difficulties.
c) All authorized users will abide by the activation criteria.
d) The Department shall utilize an automated system to maintain documentation of all authorized users and
authorized users who activate the livestream feature to include name, date, and duration of activation.
3.8.2 Activation Criteria
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Authorized users may activate the livestream feature when any of the following activation criteria are met:
a) Initiation of a Signal 43 or Signal 44
b) Initiation of a foot pursuit
c) Any situation in which an officer is not responding to their radio
d) To assist with identifying the specific location of an officer for responding officers
e) Upon any indication of distress via radio traffic
f) Any third-party notification of an officer in distress
g) Upon request of the recording officer
h) To enhance tactical operations and situational awareness during a significant incident (requires manager
approval)
i) Allowable for training and technical troubleshooting (requires manager approval)
4. DOCUMENTATION
When documenting law enforcement activity as required by Policy and Procedure 1113, Initial Police Reports, members
shall note whether or not their BWC was activated during that law enforcement action, and if it was not activated, members
shall specifically articulate the reason why it was not activated. Members are encouraged to review their available video
while preparing written reports to ensure accuracy.
5. MOBILE VIDEO SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR
The Mobile Video System Administrator is responsible for overall maintenance, management, training and retention, and
acts as a liaison to Information Technology, the Technology and Forensics Unit and associated vendors. The Mobile
Video System Administrator reports to the Administrative Services Bureau Commander.
6. DISSEMINATION
All digital media collected using the mobile video recording systems is public record as defined in Chapter 119, Florida
Statutes. Public records requests shall be handled pursuant to established policy.
Accessing, copying, or releasing any recordings for other than official law enforcement purposes is strictly prohibited,
except as required by law. BWC digital records shall only be accessed by or shared with authorized personnel. Such
unauthorized dissemination or access shall result in discipline, up to and including termination.
6.1 DISSEMINATION OF VIDEO RECORDS RELATING TO CERTAIN INCIDENTS
6.1.1 DISSEMINATION POLICY
It is the policy of the department that transparency is critical to maintain accountability and enhance trust
between the Orlando Police Department and the public. The department’s commitment for transparency
shall be pursued without compromising ongoing investigations, legitimate privacy concerns or applicable
federal, state, and local laws.
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6.1.2 PROCEDURES
1. Release
When members of the department are involved in certain incidents to include, officer involved shootings, any
in-custody death and any other incident where the Chief of Police determines that release of video recordings
is required to promote transparency, that is being investigated by an outside agency, such as the Florida
Department of Law Enforcement (“FDLE”), all related body worn camera video shall be released, to the extent
permissible under applicable law, and consistent with the Officer’s Bill of Rights upon notification from the
outside entity that the initial interviews are complete. The public release of the video recordings in these
circumstances shall occur no more than 30 days after the date of the incident, unless the Chief of Police, or
the Chief’s designee, determines there are extraordinary circumstances which dictate that the release of the
video be delayed. If a video cannot be released within 30-days, the reason for the delay will be disclosed.
2. Notifications
Prior to the release of any video under this section, best efforts will be made to notify the following
parties and give such parties an opportunity to review the video records prior to their release:
a. Officers depicted in the video who had significant involvement in the law enforcement action
b. The individual that was involved in the law enforcement action,
i. If the subject is deceased, then the subject’s next of kin,
ii. If the subject is a juvenile, then the subject’s parent or legal guardian,
c. Other official agencies involved in the law enforcement action, including the investigating
agency; and
d. The State Attorney’s Office (“SAO”)
3. Redactions
Records released pursuant to this policy are subject to the restrictions on release of public records found
in Ch. 119, Florida Statutes, “Public Records” and section 24 Article I of the Florida Constitution, the
Officer’s Bill of Rights and all other applicable state and federal laws.
If either the FDLE or the SAO objects to the release of the video or a portion thereof, they will be
requested to place their objection to the release in writing to the Chief of Police. The Chief of Police, or
designee, shall then evaluate the objection and will, based on the totality of the circumstance, either:
i. Release the video with the objected to portion(s) included; or
ii. Withhold the objected to portion(s) of the video from release until the basis for the
objection has lapsed or the objecting agency withdraws its objection.
4. Immediate Release to Preserve Public Safety
Except where prohibited by law, the Chief of Police shall have the authority to unilaterally order the
immediate release of any body camera video of a certain incident if the immediate release is necessary
in the interest of public safety.
7. STORAGE AND RETENTION
7.1 AUTOMATIC DELETION OF BODY CAMERA VIDEOS UPON EXPIRATION OF THE RETENTION PERIOD
All recordings that meet the definition of “body camera” video as defined in s. 119.071(2)(l) shall be maintained for the
retention period set forth in Florida law, but for a minimum period of 90 days, as required by Florida Statute
119.071(2)(l)(5). Any destruction or purging of a body camera recording sooner than 90 days after it is captured requires
the expressed approval of the Police Legal Advisor’s Office and shall only be done by the Mobile Video System
Administrator. All videos shall be held for the full duration of their retention period as set forth in the Florida Retention
Schedule (GS1 or GS2).
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7.2 MANUAL DELETION OF VIDEOS RECORDED WITH A BODY WORN CAMERA
Any video that does not meet the definition of “body camera” video as defined in s. 119.071(2)(l) because it does not
record audio or video data in the course of an officer performing her or his official duties, may be purged prior to the
90-day retention period if its administrative value is lost or never existed, and it is not subject to any other retention
period. This type of non-law enforcement related videos should be deleted as soon as permissible to maximize the
privacy interest of our members.
If an officer becomes aware of a video that does not meet the definition set forth in s. 119.071(2)(l) and contains
sensitive content (e.g., an accidental activation in the restroom) that member shall notify the on duty watch commander
via the chain-of-command. The on duty watch commander shall then login to the digital evidence management system
and categorize the video “confidential.” The watch commander shall then email Internal Affairs, relaying their action, to
include the recording member’s name along with the date and time of the recording. An Internal Affairs investigator
who is in the best position to protect the privacy and the dignity of the person to whom the video pertains (e.g. a female
investigator may be asked to review a video from the women’s locker room) will then be assigned to review the entire
video to ensure that no law enforcement activity was captured in the recording.
If no law enforcement activity was captured, then the reviewing investigator shall provide written confirmation to the
Mobile Video System Administrator that the video shall be deleted. If the video captured both law enforcement activity
and private information, then the private information shall be redacted, and the original video shall be marked
confidential within the video retention system.
If there is not an appropriate Internal Affairs investigator available to maintain the privacy and dignity of the members
captured therein, then the Internal Affairs sergeant shall, in consultation with the Criminal Investigation Division (CID)
Captain, assign the most appropriate detective from CID to review the video.
8. TRAINING
Officers shall be trained and instructed prior to being assigned a mobile video recording system. Members shall only use
BWCs after they have received agency-approved training. The MVSA will ensure that all BWC training meets current
manufacturer guidelines and specifications, as well as department policy.
1140.7 P&P
