NEW HAVENDEPARTMENT OF POLICE SERVICEGENERAL ORDERS
GENERAL ORDER
311
EFFECTIVE DATE:
1 FEB 2011
REVISED DATE
: 1 MAR2011
Citizen’s Right to Video
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to establish departmental guidelines governing thevideo recording of police activity by the public.
II.DEFINITIONSA.
New Haven Police Officer or Officers:
Any sworn member(s) of the NewHaven Department of Police Service, regardless of rank or official assignmentwithin or outside of the department.
B.
Video Recording:
The act or acts of capturing still or moving imageswhich may include contemporaneous audio by means of digital or analog“devices”.
C.
Video Recording Device:
This definition includes but is not limited to thefollowing:
i.Cellular telephones of all kindsii.PDAs, i.e. Personal Digital Assistantsiii.Digital or analog still camerasiv.Digital or analog video camerasv.So-called “Smart Phones”vi.Electronic tablets, such as “iPads”vii.All other similar digital and/or analog devices capable of capturing a stillor moving image or images with or without contemporaneous audio.
III. POLICY
It is the policy of the New Haven Department of Police Service to permit videorecording of police activity as long as such recording does not interfere withongoing police activity or jeopardize the safety of the general public or thepolice.
IV. PROCEDURES
A. The mere act of video recording officers of the New Haven Department of Police Service engaged in their official duties is not prohibited by federalor state statute, New Haven municipal ordinance or case law.B. As a result, a person may video record officers of the New HavenDepartment of Police Service performing their official duties, as long assuch video recording does not interfere with ongoing police activity or jeopardize the safety of the general public or the police.C. Any officer of the New Haven Department of Police Service, whodetermines that a person video recording police activity has committed or is about to commit a crime, should take appropriate enforcement action,consistent with the applicable law as well as any applicable polices andprocedures of the New Haven Department of Police Service.
V.SUMMARY
As set forth in the body of this policy, the video recording of police activity inand of itself does not constitute a crime, offense, or violation. If a personvideo recording police activity is arrested, the officer must articulate clearlythe factual basis for any arrest in his or her case and arrest reports.
_______________________ 01 March 2011
Chief Frank Limon
GENERAL ORDER