California's SDPD and CVPD increase and enhance use of body cams.

[4lbs]

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Chula-Vista-Police-Defines-Its-Body-Camera-Policy--322245892.html?partner=nbcnews

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/SDPD-Revises-Body-Camera-Policy-After-Fatal-Shooting-302999241.html



The Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) is expanding the number of body cameras available for the force and defining when and where officers use the devices.

The Chula Vista City Council approved funds to add a dozen new cameras to the CVPD’s current stock of 120.

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The San Diego Police Department underwent a change to its policy after an officer failed to activate his body camera before a deadly confrontation.

To develop its procedures, the CVPD worked with the ACLU, community groups and police unions. The department also looked at model policies at other agencies and took advice from police chiefs across the nation.

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CVPD Capt. Lon Turner described when officers are required to switch on their cameras: “It's during anticipated enforcement. Any time an arrest is being made, officers responding to a call for help, a traffic stop, a field interview where somebody is acting suspiciously, that would be the appropriate time to turn on the body worn camera.”

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Turner said the cameras are off at other times to protect citizens' privacy and allow people to approach officers and share information without worrying about being recorded.

Videos are only kept for 90 days, unless there is a criminal investigation. Turner said the video taken from body worn cameras are not technically subject to disclosure under the California Public Records Acts, but there may be exceptions.

[left-of-center2012]

1. Albuquerque cops have cameras

But dang it, they keep forgetting to turn them on.
Or they malfunctioned.
Or came unplugged.

Some body camera video steamed on line during a recent prelim for cops who killed a man by shooting him in the back showed the cameras had been pointed down toward the ground and the officers feet. Oops!