In recent years, police departments across the United States have been implementing the use of body-worn cameras (BWCs) as a means to ensure greater transparency and accountability in their interactions with the public. This article discusses the Baltimore Police Department (BPD)'s policies surrounding the use of body-worn cameras and the resulting impacts on both officers and communities.

Baltimore PD and the Body-Worn Camera Program

The BPD began equipping its officers with body-worn cameras in 2016 as part of a broader plan to increase transparency, rebuild public trust, and improve officer conduct. To ensure effectiveness and compliance with best practices, the department developed policies and guidelines dictating when and how officers should use their cameras, as well as how the resulting footage is to be managed and stored. Let's take a closer look at the key components of the BPD's body-worn camera policy.

Activation of Body-Worn Cameras

According to the BPD's guidelines, officers must activate their body-worn cameras during all law enforcement interactions, including:

Traffic stops

Pedestrian stops

Service of search or arrest warrants

Interviews with victims, witnesses, and suspects

Incident scene evidence collection

Police pursuits

Suspect transports

Use of force incidents

And any other encounter the officer reasonably believes an audio or video recording would benefit the investigation

These guidelines aim to ensure the cameras capture all critical interactions between police officers and the community, providing an unbiased record of events that can later be used for evidence, prosecution, citizen complaints, and officer evaluations.

Deactivation of Body-Worn Cameras

While the BPD policy mandates that officers record the majority of their interactions with the public, there are situations in which deactivating the body-worn camera can be permitted. The following are some examples:

Entering private residences without a warrant (unless voluntarily consented by the resident)

Encounters requiring the protection of a person's privacy, dignity, or emotional well-being

When requested by victims or witnesses

When in a medical facility, except during the execution of an arrest warrant or other exigent circumstances

During strip searches or other constitutional search procedures

In situations where the officer is uncertain whether the camera should be deactivated, the policy instructs them to err on the side of recording. Once deactivated, the officer should document the reason for deactivation in their report.

Footage Storage, Management, and Access

Preserving and managing the vast amount of footage generated by body-worn cameras is a significant challenge posed to law enforcement agencies. In response, BPD has adopted several policies and practices to address these challenges:

Data storage: BWC footage is uploaded at the end of each shift and retained by the BPD for at least four years, which complies with the Maryland Public Information Act's retention schedule.

Redaction: Footage that will be released to the public may be redacted to protect the privacy and confidentiality of individuals captured on the recordings.

Access: While the public and media do not have unrestricted access to BWC footage, requests for footage can still be made under the Maryland Public Information Act. The BPD reviews these requests on a case-by-case basis and may release the footage if it serves the public interest.

Impact and Benefits

Since the introduction of the body-worn camera program in Baltimore, there have been several positive outcomes, including a reduction in citizen complaints and an increase in successful case prosecutions. Key findings include:

Officer conduct: Having a visual and unbiased record of interactions between police and citizens has made it easier to hold officers accountable for their conduct, leading to a decrease in instances of misconduct and excessive force.

Community trust: The transparency provided by body-worn cameras has helped to rebuild public trust, with many citizens feeling reassured by the fact that officers are being held to a higher standard of accountability.

Training and performance evaluation: BWC footage has served as a valuable tool for training purposes, allowing officers to analyze their own interactions and learn from real-life situations. Supervisors can also use this footage to evaluate performance in a more objective manner.

The Baltimore Police Department's body-worn camera policy is a significant step towards building a more transparent and accountable law enforcement agency. By effectively implementing and managing this program, the BPD is empowering not only its officers but also the community it serves by fostering trust and cooperation for a safer and more united Baltimore.