Body Worn Camera Policy
This policy establishes guidelines and procedures for the utilization of Body Worn Cameras (BWC) by members of the York College Campus Police Department (YCCPD). Additionally, this policy establishes procedures for the retention, duplication, storage, and purging of recordings from the BWC equipment.
It shall be the policy of the YCCPD that officers shall activate the BWC when such use is appropriate to the proper performance of his or her official duties, where the recordings are consistent with this policy and the law. This policy does not govern the use of surreptitious recording devices used in undercover operations. Only department issued BWCs are authorized for use. Department personnel are not authorized to use privately-owned BWCs while on duty. Violations of this policy will subject the employee to disciplinary action.
The department recognizes that video images cannot always show the full story nor do video images capture an entire scene. The department also recognizes that the BWC video does not mirror the perspective of the officer at the time of an incident, nor does the video include other factors known to or perceived by the officer that could impact the officer’s judgement and decision-making, such as events beyond the scope of the camera, the officer’s “reactionary gap”, or the difference between human vision and the camera’s video recording abilities. Therefore, the use of body-worn cameras do not reduce the requirement to provide thorough written documentation of an incident.
This directive constitutes departmental policy, and is not intended to enlarge the employer’s or employee’s civil or criminal liability in any way. It shall not be construed as the creation of a higher legal standard of safety or care in an evidentiary sense with respect to third party claims insofar as the employer’s or employee’s legal duty as imposed by law. Violations of policy will only form the basis for departmental administrative sanctions. Violations of law will form the basis for civil and criminal sanctions in a recognized judicial setting.