Government Personnel Body-Worn Cameras

[Victor Chase]

BWC Mandate of 2023

LOS SANTOS GOVERNMENT
MAYOR VICTOR CHASE

IN EFFECT FROM 29TH MAY 2023
Updated On: 21/MAR/2024

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Body Worn Cameras For Government Personnel

As per State regulations. Body Worn Cameras or commonly referred to as BWC or BWV (Body Worn Video) are to be utilized by all law personnel within Los Santos. More specifically the regulation comes into place for Los Santos Police Department. The law pertains to the use of the camera subject to below;

The technology consists of the camera, which is typically worn on the officer's uniform (placed optionally on the shoulder lapel, sunglasses, or hat), with a forward-facing viewable area. When thinking about the mounting location, an agency should consider the uniform types worn by deputies and how uniforms may vary throughout the year (summer, winter). Additional accessories may be required to ensure the camera is properly positioned, securely attached and protected to support the officer and his or her unique mission. There are a number of different types of camera with differing options, including user controls such as push to record, touch-screen controls, video and audio feed, and playback in field. The video evidence is uploaded through a docking station on a local storage device (e.g., server) or through an online web-based digital media storage platform where the evidence can be encrypted and managed. Some models also allow for video upload while in the field.



How are body-worn cameras different from dashboard cameras and CCTV systems?

Dashboard cameras are fixed to the law enforcement vehicles, therefore only capturing video from the front of the vehicle. Some dashboard cameras allow for audio recording near the law enforcement vehicle. Body-worn cameras (BWCs) retain the strengths of the dashboard camera, but they allow the technology to accompany the officer wherever he or she goes. In some instances, using BWCs and dashboard cameras together can be beneficial, documenting an event from two different perspectives.

BWCs are different from close-circuit television systems (CCTV). CCTVs are stationary systems that record behavior in a given public space. Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe of the London Metropolitan Police Service highlights the core differences between BWCs and CCTVs: “In London we have CCTVs, which are quite extensive and becoming even more so, but the distinction is that those cameras don’t listen to your conversations. They observe behavior and see what people do and cover public space, so you can see if there is a crime being committed. But CCTVs don’t generally seek out individuals”



Usage of BWCs

Personnel does not need to garner the consent of anyone to record. The members of Law Enforcing Personnel are that of public servants to the State. Meaning they are in the eyes of the public at all times, similarly to dashcam footage where consent is not required. The State specifies that deputies, whilst on-duty are required to have their BWC on at all times. The camera records and stores to a specialized and restricted server that only Executive Staff from the LSCSD have access to. When he or she is is recording, consent is not required regardless of the environment (public, stores, malls, residential or business). If the officer has access to the building legally, the law covers the use of their BWC. If the presence of the officer is not respected the owner of the property can ask them to leave - this obviously does not pertain to situations where the deputies are there to perform the roles of their duties.

The Police Department have their own guidelines and policies relating to the usage of BWCs. This document is not available for public use and strictly pertains to the usage of BWCs for their personnel. 

((OOC Notice))

Players should assume a officer is recording at all times unless they have a /status specifically identifying they are not wearing a BWC. Regardless if the officer is actually wearing the BWC item on their person or not, they should be assumed recording 24/7 unless specified by the aforementioned.