County of Santa Clara

Office of the Sheriff

Body Worn Camera (BWC)
Anticipated Surveillance Impact Report

I. Information Describing the BWC System and How It Works

The BWC system consists of three main components: The camera itself, the docking station, and the
Evidence Management System (EMS) software.

Camera
The first and most visible component of the BWC system is the camera itself, which is usually about the
size and shape of a pack of standard playing cards. The camera is designed to be affixed to a deputy's
uniform and is powered by an internal rechargeable battery. The deputy can start and stop recording by
pressing a button on the face of the camera. The camera does not contain a screen, so video recorded by the
camera cannot be displayed on it.
Some models come with a separate camera and battery pack, in which case the camera is approximately the
size and shape of a tube of lipstick and is designed to be affixed to the user's glasses. The camera is
connected to a battery pack worn on the user's belt with a cable. These models allow the camera to more
closely capture the same field of view that is seen by the user, since the camera moves with the user's head
and is aligned with the user's eyes.

Examples of various styles of BWCs

Docking Station
The second component of the camera is the docking station, which serves two purposes simultaneously:
recharging the camera's battery and retrieving captured video from the camera. Both tasks are done
automatically when the camera is inserted into the docking station. When the camera has finished
delivering its stored videos to the EMS, the videos are deleted from the camera. Docking stations are
permanently installed in appropriate work areas, and typically hold between one and ten cameras.

EMS
The third component of the system is the Evidence Management System (EMS). All video footage is
uploaded to the EMS via the docking station. The EMS is typically located in cloud-based data centers for
security, scalability, and ease of administration. Users can add metadata to existing videos such as
associated case numbers, incident type, incident dispositions, etc. to make the videos easier to find.
However, once uploaded to the EMS, the videos themselves cannot be altered by the user. Users can view
only those videos that the system administrator has granted permission to view. The video library includes a

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mechanism to copy videos to external media. Video retention settings, system administration settings, and
user permissions are all set in the video library component.

II. Proposed Purpose

The primary objective of the BWC system is to document deputy contacts, arrests, and critical incidents.
Video footage collected by the BWCs will be used as evidence in both criminal and administrative
investigations.
While performing their day-to-day tasks, a deputy will encounter the public under all types of situations. In
instances where the interaction does not contain an element of suspicion that criminal activity is afoot, the
policy would not mandate the use of BWC. However, in instances where the deputy might be expected to
take law enforcement action of any kind, the deputy is expected to record the encounter for the benefit of
both the deputy and the member of the public.
The BWC would be used when the deputy believes there is probable cause that a crime has been or is about
to be committed.
The authorized uses of the BWC system include:

Video recording investigative contacts with members of the public.

Using the resulting videos to provide evidence in criminal investigations
Using the resulting videos to provide evidence in administrative investigations (i.e. allegations of
deputy misconduct)
Using the resulting videos to enhance the accuracy of deputies' reports and testimony in court
Using the resulting videos to provide additional information for deputy evaluation and training
Using the resulting videos as training aids, in the event that an incident captured on a recording
has training value
Prohibited uses of the BWC system include:

Recording conversations between other employees without their consent

Making copies of BWC videos for personal use, or disseminated in any form or manner outside
the parameters of the BWC policy
Removing, dismantling, or tampering with any hardware and/or software component of the BWC
system

Recording the provision of patient care at any hospital or health facility, unless the circumstances
dictate the need for BWC activation, such as the patient becoming uncooperative or
resistive/assaultive

III. Locations Where BWCs May Be Deployed

The Sheriff's Office intends to issue one BWC to each deputy in the following divisions:

Patrol - West Valley

Patrol - Headquarters
Patrol - Transit

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 Patrol - Parks
Custody - Elmwood
Custody - Main Jail
Civil / Warrants
Special Operations
Investigations
CASU
The cameras will be affixed to the deputies' uniforms for the duration of the deputies' shifts; therefore, they
will be used anywhere inside or outside of Santa Clara County that the deputy may go in the course of duty.

IV. Potential Impact on Civil Liberties and Privacy

With the introduction of BWCs, deputies will record all enforcement contacts with the public. To that end,
a deputy could find themselves engaged in their lawful duties in both public and private arenas.
Additionally, due to the nature of law enforcement work, a deputy may be required to engage in sensitive
conversations with men and women of all ages, including children.
The right to maintain someone's anonymity versus the need to gain information to maintain public safety is
of paramount concern. The Sheriffs Office recognizes that all people have a right to privacy and is
committed to protecting and safeguarding civil rights by adhering to the strictest requirements of both state
and federal law concerning release of audio/video recording technology.
In order to minimize violations of privacy, BWC policy provides that:
1. Deputies should record any incident they feel would be appropriate or valuable to document. Patrol
procedures shall require Deputies to activate the BWC.
2. Deputies should inform individuals that they are being recorded whenever possible.
3. Deputies should not activate the BWC and/or use caution when entering a public locker room,
changing room, restroom, doctor's or attorney's office, or other place where individuals unrelated to
the investigation are present and would have a heightened expectation of privacy unless the deputy is
investigating criminal activity or responding to a call for service (i.e., disturbance, etc).
4. Requests for copies of videos be processed pursuant to existing records release policy.

Note: BWC footage will be retained or released in accordance with applicable state and federal law.
Criminal defendants will have access to relevant BWC footage via the court discovery process.
5. All employees are forbidden from making copies of BWC footage for personal use.
6. Video files that were accidentally recorded, or which contain confidential, personal or private
conversations or images unrelated to any ongoing investigations may be redacted or deleted from the
system with proper supervisorial approval. The retention period for BWC footage will be consistent
with the Sheriffs retention policy.

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V. Fiscal Cost

Equipment
Year 1 $ 557,916.00 Bundled cost for equipment, training, and prorated licensing & storage costs
Year 2 $ 835,692.00
Annual costs that include the Taser Assurance Plan warranty which covers software
Year 3 $ 835,692.00
licensing and unlimited video storage in Evidence.com and coverage for cameras and
Year 4 $ 835,692.00
docking stations, including a replacement of all hardware prior to Year 5 of the contract.
Year 5 $ 835,692.00
Total $ 3,900,684.00

One-Time Personnel Costs

$ 185,000.00 Overtime for Training - Enforcement
CY17
$ 230,000.00 Overtime for Training - Custody
Total $ 415,000.00

Salary Costs
CY17 $ 357,065.00
CY18 $ 735,122.00 1 FTE Deputy Sheriff
CY19 TBD 1 FTE Sheriff's Correctional Deputy or Correctional Deputy
CY20 TBD 2 FTE Senior Training & Staff Development Specialist or Sheriff's Training Specialist
CY21 TBD

Potential Source of Funding

General Fund

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