University of Northern Iowa

Department of Public Safety

General Order
Category:

Operations

New

Subject:

Officer Body Worn Cameras

Effective Date:

Revised
November 5, 2015

Officer INTRODUCTION
The UNI Police Department is committed to improving our knowledge and application of the law as it
pertains to our members in both their individual capacity as law enforcement officers and also collectively
as a law enforcement agency. As new technologies that will assist us in our mission become available,
we will implement those technologies we feel are compatible with our current processes and procedures.
Therefore, the Department has chosen to implement the use of body-worn cameras (BWC) which will
assist our department in maintaining a high degree of accountability to our community and enhance our
policing procedures.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to establish operating procedures in the use of body-worn cameras while
collecting evidence and during interactions between officers and the public.

DEFINITIONS
A.

Body Worn Camera System an L3 BodyVISION camera, connection cables, chargers, and
software

B.

System Administrator A member of the UNI Police Department designated to oversee the
installation, maintenance, and daily operation of the BWC.

C.

Officer A sworn law enforcement member of the UNI Police Division

POLICY:
A. Every uniformed member of the UNI Police Division who is working a scheduled shift (either
regular duty or overtime) is required to wear a BWC.
B. At the beginning of their shift, each officer is required to ensure that the BWC is operating properly. If
an officer's assigned BWC is not functioning properly, the officer shall inform his/her supervisor and
use one of the designated spares BWCs.
C. BWC will be placed at chest level in such a way that images and audio in front of the officer is
captured. Any variation in placement shall be approved by the Chief of Police or his/her designee.
D. BWCs will be activated when an officer is on a call.
1. Calls for Service Officers shall activate the BWC on all calls for service, when responding to
calls where video documentation may have investigative value, and during self -initiated
activity.
2. Traffic Stops All traffic stops shall be recorded in their entirety. Officers should, to the
extent possible, use the BWC to document any field sobriety tests.
3. Citizen Contact Officers shall activate their BWC during all citizen contacts, regardless of
the type of contact. Exceptions may be made for:
a) Contact with other law enforcement members that do not relate to a Call for
Service
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University of Northern Iowa

Department of Public Safety
General Order
Category:

Operations

New

Subject:

Officer Body Worn Cameras

Effective Date:

Revised
November 5, 2015

b) Contacts with friends and family of a personal nature

c) Brief cordial contacts with the public

E. Each officer is responsible for downloading their BWC video prior to the end of their shift and
ensuring that all components are accounted for before leaving the building.
F. Recording shall continue uninterrupted from the commencement of recording until the conclusion of
the incident or resumption of general patrolling duties.
G. Supervisors and/or the System Administrator will occasionally randomly select A/V files to review.
These reviews will be for training and integrity purposes, and the review will be documented.
H. Other uses for the video recorded information may include, but are not limited to:
1. Review prior to court appearance
2. Documentation of incidents
3. Assist in report writing
4. Training
5. Court proceedings
I.

Officers are not required to inform person(s) that the BWC is in use but shall disclose its use upon
inquiry.

J.

Any recorded image must not be deleted by the recording user and must be retained as required by
procedure.

October 20, 2015

Date

____________________
Chief / Director

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