Body Worn Cameras and Recording Systems Policy and Forms
The use of Body Worn Camera and Mobile Video Recording equipment enables the Ferguson Township Police Department to accomplish many objectives including, but not limited to, the following:
- Enhance officer safety.
- Collection of evidence.
- Enable Officers to more accurately document events, actions, conditions, and statements made during incidents.
- Enhance an Officer’s ability to prepare reports and present court testimony.
- Provide an impartial measurement for self-critique and field evaluation during recruitment and new officer training.
- Improve the training capabilities of the FTPD.
- Enhance the public trust by preserving factual representations of officer-citizen interactions in the form of audio and video recordings.
- Assist the FTPD with investigations of alleged misconduct.
This policy establishes guidelines and procedures for the utilization of Body Worn Cameras (BWC) and Mobile Video Recording (MVR) equipment by sworn members of the Ferguson Township Police Department (FTPD). Additionally, this policy establishes procedures for the retention, duplication, storage, and purging of recordings from the BWC/MVR equipment, and the procedures to be followed by FTPD sworn members and the FTPD BWC/MVR Custodial Officer for the retention, duplication, storage, and purging of recordings.