UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE
BODY-WORN CAMERA POLICY
Introduction
This policy establishes the authorities, requirements, responsibilities, guidelines, and general procedures for the use of Body-Worn Cameras (BWC) by United States Secret Service (Secret Service) personnel and task force officers (TFO) assigned to Secret Service-led task forces, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
In compliance with Executive Order 14074, Advancing Effective, Accountable Policing and Criminal Justice Practices To Enhance Public Trust and Public Safety, this policy will be publicly posted, available via the Secret Service website at www.secretservice.gov.
Scope
Secret Service authorizes the use of BWCs to collect audio and video recordings of interactions between Secret Service personnel who are authorized to carry firearms and the public according to the requirements established in this policy. This policy applies to Secret Service personnel and TFOs assigned to Secret Service-led task forces who operate BWCs or handle recorded data.
Secret Service acknowledges that there may be situations in which BWC operation is impractical and may be an impediment to public and officer/agent safety. Additionally, Secret Service recognizes human performance limitations during particularly stressful, critical situations. However, absent extenuating circumstances that implicate public or officer/agent safety, Secret Service personnel are required to activate their BWC in accordance with this policy.
This policy does not apply to recording statements during criminal investigations.
Implementation of this policy, as well as the development and implementation of related internal operating procedures (IOP), is contingent on the availability of funding to acquire the requisite equipment and supporting information technology infrastructure, personnel to support equipment operations and maintenance, personnel who will review and redact captured video/audio recordings for Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and other authorized release requests, the distribution of BWC equipment to Secret Service personnel, and the completion of related training.
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