The Secret Behind Developing the Nation's Best Body-Worn Camera Policy
Law enforcement agencies across the country are adopting body-worn cameras at an unprecedented rate, but outfitting officers with the cameras is only the first step toward keeping officers and their communities safe. Once the cameras are purchased, the task of creating policies and training to support them can be the hardest part of the process. Knowing this, Parker PD collaborated with the ACLU to create what is being called the best policy in the nation.
Parker, Colorado, March 17, 2016 (Newswire.com) - Law enforcement agencies across the country are adopting body-worn cameras at an unprecedented rate, but outfitting officers with the cameras is only the first step toward keeping officers and their communities safe. Once the cameras are purchased, the task of creating policies and training to support them can be the hardest part of the process. Without the protection constitutionally-defensible policies provide, agencies risk damaging lawsuits and harming their reputation.
A scorecard created by the Leadership Conference and Upturn evaluated civil rights safeguards of body-worn camera policies being used by 25 law enforcement agencies, including 15 of the nation’s largest. The goal was to highlight successful approaches and identify opportunities for improvement. Parker Police Department, located in Parker, Colo., came out on top and is being recognized by The Atlantic and other news publications as having the best body-worn camera policy in the nation.
At Parker PD, we were determined to create a body-worn camera policy that serves the best interests of both our officers and the community. Before we outfitted our officers with cameras, we did our homework so we could get the privacy piece in the policy right from the beginning.
Chris Peters, Professional Standards Lieutenant
The secret behind Parker PD’s exemplary body-worn camera policy includes early planning, engagement with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and the use of technology to quickly get the new policy in front of officers.
“At Parker PD, we were determined to create a body-worn camera policy that serves the best interests of both our officers and the community,” explained Chris Peters, Professional Standards Lieutenant. “Before we outfitted our officers with cameras, we did our homework so we could get the privacy piece in the policy right from the beginning.”
While attending a body-worn camera conference, Lt. Peters sat in on a session where a representative from the ACLU went over how to handle privacy concerns in your policy. At the conclusion of the session, Lt. Peters approached the presenter and asked if they would be willing to review Parker PD’s policy before they issued it to their officers.
“The ACLU was happy to help,” said Lt. Peters. “We went back and forth with them and ended up incorporating a large majority of their suggestions. What we did here can be duplicated with the ACLU’s help.”
Parker PD found the ACLU to be very helpful and eager to work with agencies in the development of their policy. Both organizations felt confident Parker PD’s body-worn camera policy was well-balanced and had the best interests of both their officers and community in mind. Once Parker PD’s town attorney signed off on the policy, they uploaded it into PowerDMS, a cloud-based document management software they use to manage policies, training and accreditation. By using technology, they were able to quickly get the policy in front of all officers and capture signatures attesting they saw and read the policy and when they did so.
As evidence of their desire to share best practices, Parker PD and the ACLU will be participating in a webinar, hosted by PowerDMS, later this month. Both organizations are going out of their way to share their story and help other agencies produce a well-balanced body-worn camera policy.