Mobile Audio/Video Recorders - In Car Video Recorders

Omaha Police Department Mobile Video Recorder (MVR) Policy

• Purpose: To establish procedures for MVR systems, including training, management, access, retention, handling, dissemination, storage, and retrieval of audio-video recordings. This improves evidence quality, officer accountability, and safety.

Definitions

• Designated Employee: Trained personnel authorized by the Chief of Police to handle recordings of high-liability incidents.
• In-Car Camera System/MVR: A system that records audio and video in a police vehicle (camera, microphone, recorder, monitor).
• MVR Administrator: Department-wide contact for coordinating and troubleshooting MVR systems.
• MVR Technician: Trained in operation, troubleshooting, repair, and evidentiary procedures; typically a precinct "B" shift lieutenant.
• Recorded Media: Audio-video recordings from the MVR system.

Program Objectives

• Enhance officer safety.
• Capture incident statements and events accurately.
• Improve officer documentation and review for internal and legal purposes.
• Enable self-critique and field evaluation.
• Collect visual and audio information for investigations.

Training

• Mandatory training: All MVR users must complete approved OPD training.
• Training documentation: Original training materials are retained and archived.
• Regular updates: Officers and supervisors receive updated training as needed.
• Documented training: Training is documented according to OPD policy.

Installation and Maintenance

• Proper installation: OPD ensures proper installation per manufacturer's instructions.
• Officer responsibility: Officers are responsible for vehicle MVR inspection and general maintenance.
• Pre-shift inspection: Required pre-shift MVR inspection (including remote audio transmitter, camera lens, and recording status). Inspection documentation is required.
• Reporting malfunctions: Malfunctions, damage, or theft of MVR equipment are reported immediately to a supervisor via OPD Form 24 (Equipment Accountability) and OPD Form 189 (Incident Report). Supervisors update the Camera Status Log.
• "No Uploading Video Alerts": Automated emails are sent to designated recipients if the MVR is not uploading video data; recipients confirm MVR operation and resolve issues.

MVR Operational Guidelines

• Mandatory operation: Recording is mandatory in equipped vehicles for traffic stops, roadside contacts, expedited responses, pursuits, and transporting individuals. The interior camera and microphone should be activated when anyone is placed in a police vehicle.
• Officer discretion: Record situations deemed relevant through training and experience.
• Subject notification: Inform subjects of recording when feasible.
• Automatic activation: Triggers for automatic activation include emergency lights (positions 2 & 3), speed exceeding 80 mph, and vehicle collisions activating sensors. Recording stops only when directed by a command officer or an accident investigator.
• Manual activation: Manual activation is available for various scenarios outside of the automated triggers.
• 30-second buffer: The system captures 30 seconds of pre-activation video.
• Audio activation: Ensure audio functionality alongside video recording.
• Two-officer vehicles: One officer wears the remote audio transmitter in two-officer vehicles, while the other officer(s) wear a body-worn camera (BWC).
• Temporary mute: Remote microphones can be muted if the officer verbally notifies their intent.
• Additional perspectives: When officers support a situation, they activate their individual MVRs
• BWC and MVR: When using BWC's, MVR audio mics are not mandatory
• Deactivation: MVR deactivation is allowed only if the incident doesn't need to be recorded continuously, or if a supervisor directs it; in pursuits and fleeing vehicle events, the MVR is not deactivated until the officer is back at the assembly or a supervisor directs.
• Media copying: Officers may create copies of the MVR recordings onto DVDs if required by Command or Prosecution; these copies are labelled, documented according to OPD policy and turn in accordance with OPD policies and procedures.

Supervisor and Designated Employee Responsibilities

• Serious incident response: Designated employees handle removing and uploading recorded media from vehicles during serious incidents.
• Media verification & classification: Designated employees confirm transfer to the server, classify, and set retention.
• Supervisory review: Supervisors review officer’s media at least every six months, documenting reviews on OPD Form 111 and filing it in PowerDMS.

Recording, Duplication, Dissemination, and Review

• Ownership: Recorded media belongs to OPD. External dissemination is restricted without authorization.
• Integrity: Officers are prohibited from altering or tampering with MVR recordings.
• Personal devices: Transferring MVR recordings to personal devices is prohibited.
• Media preservation: Original media should be copied for use, if possible and practical, leaving the original media undisturbed.
• Video classification: Officers classify recordings, including the RB number or citation number.
• Review: Officers may review recordings for accuracy; investigators can review certain videos.

Video Access, Classification, and Retention

• Access levels: Different access permissions for officers, detectives, and command.
• Classification: Classifying recordings (Evidence, Uncategorized, etc.)
• Retention periods: Defined retention periods based on record details or classification (120 days for uncategorized, 180 for traffic infractions, 18 months for misdemeanors, 3 years for felonies, indefinitely for "LOCKED"). "LOCKED" is for serious incidents.
• Deletion: Scheduled deletion of recordings based on classification and retention periods.

Deletion of Video and MVR System Administrator Responsibilities

• Automatic deletion: Media is automatically deleted after its retention period unless requested for legal proceedings.
• Legal proceedings: Monthly lists are provided to the MVR Administrator of RB and Citation numbers needed for deletion. These will be set for deletion in 30 days.
• System and media maintenance: MVR Administrator responsibilities include media tracking, long-term storage of evidentiary items, deleting unnecessary media, and media erasure in accordance with OPD policies.