(Editor’s note: This is an updated version of a document that the Lincoln Police Department released in November 2020. Voters at the 2021 Annual Town Meeting approved spending $61,400 for police cruiser and body-worn cameras.)
Last month, the Lincoln Police Department implemented its Body Worn (BWC) and Cruiser Camera (CC) program. The program consists of sixteen (16) body-worn cameras for officers and five dash/prisoner cameras for police cruisers. The chosen vendor is GETAC.
The use of such cameras is considered best practices as outlined in President Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing which the department has embraced since 2015. The perceived benefits of the cameras are that they:
- increase transparency, legitimacy, and community trust
- increase internal accountability
- improve officer and citizen behavior
- expedite resolutions of complaints and lawsuits
- document circumstances of how and when force is used
- create opportunities for training
We are pleased to be among the first wave of communities to have implemented BWCs and CCs. We are grateful for the support of town leadership and our police officers. We are confident that the community will quickly come to support and value the program and offer the following FAQ to help increase awareness.
Frequently asked questions about body-worn and cruiser cameras
What is a body-worn camera (BWC)?
A camera that is attached to the officer’s uniform, clearly visible on their chest, which captures and records audio and video of any police/citizen interaction that is governed by the Department’s policy.
Why are officers wearing cameras?
BWCs serve as a tool to document our officers’ interactions with our residents and others who visit or travel through Lincoln. They help to increase transparency and accountability, thereby helping the department maintain the community’s trust., and are valuable in maintaining community trust, transparency, and accountability. Given the great relationship we share with our community, the department continues to be proactive in strengthening our connection with its citizens.
When will police officers be recording with their body cameras?
Police officers will activate their BWC and cruiser cameras whenever they respond to calls for service or have citizen contacts where they anticipate taking law enforcement action.
What about my privacy during police encounters?
The Lincoln Police Department is mindful of the legitimate privacy concerns associated with BWC. Our officers will record, per policy, when investigating criminal activity or a violation of law. Prior to the release of any recording, the department will ensure compliance with department policy, Rule 14 of the Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure and/or the Massachusetts Public Records Law which may include the redaction of certain elements of the recording including innocent parties and non-related identifiers such as registration numbers, addresses, etc. Our priority is to protect the right of privacy and ensure the safety of non-related parties.
Are there places where officers cannot use their BWC?
Typically, officers will not record in places where there is an expectation of privacy, such as restrooms, locker rooms, medical calls, and medical care facilities — unless there is reasonable suspicion a crime is being committed or the recording of the location is material to an investigation.
Before entering a private residence, without exigent circumstances, officers must obtain occupant(s) consent before recording inside the residence. If the occupant declines to give consent, and absent exigent circumstances, the BWC shall be turned off while inside the residence. However, when responding to an exigent circumstance inside a private residence, the BWC will be activated throughout the exigency. Once the exigency is over, and when practical, officers must obtain consent from the occupant(s) in order to continue to record. Any request to turn the BWC off and the officer’s response shall be recorded.
Can I ask the officer to turn off the BWC?
Yes, after receiving notice of being recorded and there is a reasonable expectation of privacy. The request to turn off the recording and the officer’s response will be recorded for documentation purposes. If the police officer is in a public place and involved in a police-related incident, the camera will remain on.
Are officers required to tell citizens that they are being recorded?
Under Massachusetts Law, officers are required to give notice to citizens that they are being audio recorded. Officers are not required to inform citizens that they are being video recorded while in a public place. However, per policy, officers are required to provide citizens with notice that they are being both audio and video recorded.
Can the officer tamper with the audio and video recording?
No, the GETAC system is specifically designed to prevent the user from altering or deleting any recordings.
How are the videos stored?
All videos are stored in secure cloud servers in compliance with the FBI Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) standards.
What is the process for obtaining a copy of a video recording?
The release of any recording must be approved in advance by the Chief of Police or department designee. Recordings shall be released in accordance with department policy, Rule 14 of the Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure and/or the Massachusetts Public Records Law. The Chief of Police may authorize the release of any recording deemed to be in the best interest of the community and public safety.
What happens to a video once it is recorded?
At the end of each shift, officers will upload the data to a cloud-based service to store the files. Depending on the type of video captured, data will be saved in accordance with the department policy, Rule 14 of the Massachusetts Rules of Criminal Procedure and the Massachusetts Public Records Retention and Disposition Schedule.
Why is it necessary to have an in-cruiser camera system when officers have BWCs?
The in-cruiser camera system will have two (2) cameras, one facing forward (dash camera) documenting the perspective of the officer’s view. The dash camera is able to capture a wider perspective when officers respond to calls for service, conduct traffic stops, and have interactions which occur in front of the police cruiser. The second camera will be in the rear passenger compartment (prisoner camera) where a prisoner is seated while inside the cruiser.
Who can I speak with should I have questions?
You can contact Chief Kevin Kennedy at 781-259-8113 or kkennedy@lincolntown.org.