NEW ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT - New Albany, Ohio

NEW ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT
Directive 8.1 – In-Car Mobile Video/Audio Recording Equipment
8.1.1 Purpose
The New Albany Police Department has adopted the use of in-car mobile digital video/audio
recording equipment to accomplish the following objectives:
The accurate documentation of events, actions, conditions, and statements made during
arrests and critical incidents;
The enhancement of officers’ reports, collection of evidence, and testimony in court; and
The enhancement of the New Albany Police Department’s ability to review probable cause
for arrest, reasonable suspicion to stop, arrest procedures, officer/suspect interactions,
evidence for investigative purposes, and officer evaluation and training, including officer
safety issues.
8.1.2 Training
All officers will be trained on the operation of the in-car digital mobile video/audio recording
equipment before engaging in the use of the system. This training shall include an overview of the
proper operation of the equipment, a review of this directive on proper procedural use of the
equipment, and training on the proper storage, retrieval, and management of digital video files.
8.1.3 Procedures
Officers shall adhere to the following procedures when utilizing the in-car digital mobile video/audio
recording equipment:
A. Equipment installed in marked cruisers is the responsibility of the officer assigned to the
vehicle and will be maintained according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
B. At the beginning of each shift, the officer shall check the overall operation of the digital
mobile equipment. If the equipment is not working properly, the officer shall note any
problems/deficiencies and bring them to the immediate attention of the on-duty supervisor.
If the problem/deficiency can not be resolved by the supervisor, the officer will write up the
problem/deficiency and forward this information to his/her supervisor so that repairs can be
made. A cruiser will not be written up as out-of-service for the sole reason of inoperative incar
digital recording equipment.
C. Digital mobile equipment will automatically activate when the cruiser’s emergency lights are
activated. At no time will an officer deactivate the system during a traffic stop and/or arrest
situation. The equipment may be manually deactivated during non-law enforcement
activities, such as protecting accident scenes from other vehicular traffic. When possible,
manual activation of the digital mobile equipment will occur prior to a traffic stop or other law
enforcement activity to assist in establishing the probable cause for the stop, such as
tracking history of an impaired driver.
D. When the digital mobile equipment is recording, an officer shall ensure that the audio
portion is activated and is being properly recorded. To assist in audio recordings, officers
should turn off the AM/FM radio in the cruiser.
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