GENERAL ORDERS LINCOLN POLICE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: PATROL OPERATIONS
TITLE: AUDIO/VIDEO
EFFECTIVE DATE: JUNE 1, 2025
REVISION DATE:
ACCREDITATION: ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE (AACOP)
APPROVAL: CHIEF DARREN E. BRITTON
Embedded Files
AUDIO/VIDEO
422.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The Lincoln Police Department may equip marked law enforcement vehicles with Mobile Audio/Video (MAV) recording systems to provide records of events and to assist officers in the performance of their duties. This policy provides guidance on the use of these systems.
422.1.1 DEFINITIONS
Definitions related to this policy include:
ACTIVATE - Any process that causes the MAV system to transmit or store video or audio data in an active mode.
IN-CAR CAMERA SYSTEM & MAV SYSTEM - Synonymous terms that refer to any system that captures audio and video signals, that is capable of installation in a vehicle, and that includes at a minimum, a camera, microphone, recorder and monitor.
MAV TECHNICIAN - Personnel certified or trained in the operational use and repair of MAVs, duplicating methods and storage and retrieval methods and who have a working knowledge of video forensics and evidentiary procedures.
RECORDED MEDIA - Audio/video signals recorded or digitally stored on a storage device or portable media.
422.2 POLICY
It is the policy of the Lincoln Police Department to use mobile audio/video recording technology to more effectively fulfill the mission of the Department and to ensure these systems are used securely and efficiently.
422.3 OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES
Prior to going into service, each officer will properly equip him/herself to record audio and video in the field. At the end of the shift, each officer will follow the established procedures for providing to the Department any recordings or used media and any other related equipment. Each officer should have adequate recording media for the entire duty assignment. In the event an officer works at a remote location and reports in only periodically, additional recording media may be issued. Only Lincoln Police Department identified and labeled media with tracking numbers is to be used.
At the start of each shift, officers should test the MAV system's operation in accordance with manufacturer specifications and department operating procedures and training.
If the system is malfunctioning, the officer shall notify the on-duty supervisor.
422.4 ACTIVATION OF THE MAV
The MAV system is designed to turn on whenever the vehicle's emergency lights are activated but may also be activated manually. The system remains on until it is turned off manually. The audio portion may be independently controlled or may also be designed to turn on whenever the vehicle's emergency lights are activated. When audio is being recorded, the video will also record.
422.4.1 REQUIRED ACTIVATION OF THE MAV
This policy is not intended to describe every possible situation in which the MAV system may be used, although there are many situations where its use is appropriate. An officer may activate the system any time the officer believes it would be appropriate or valuable to document an incident.
In some circumstances it is not possible to capture images of the incident due to conditions or the location of the camera. However, the audio portion can be valuable evidence and is subject to the same activation requirements as the MAV. The MAV system should be activated in any of the following situations but not limited to:
(a) All field contacts involving actual or potential criminal conduct within video or audio range:
Traffic stops (including, but not limited to, traffic violations, stranded motorist assistance and all crime interdiction stops)
Priority responses
Vehicle pursuits
Suspicious vehicles
Arrests
Vehicle searches
Physical or verbal confrontations or use of force
Pedestrian checks
Driving while under the influence (DUI) investigations, including field sobriety tests
Consensual encounters
Crimes in progress
Responding to an in-progress call
(b) All self-initiated activity in which an officer would normally notify Communications
(c) Any call for service involving a crime where the recorder may aid in the apprehension and/or prosecution of a suspect, including but not limited to:
Domestic violence
Disturbance of the peace
Offenses involving violence or weapons
(d) Any other contact that becomes adversarial after the initial contact, in a situation that would not otherwise require recording
(e) Any other circumstance where the officer believes that a recording of an incident would be appropriate
Activation of the MAV system is not required when exchanging information with other officers, during breaks or lunch periods, or when not in service or not actively on patrol.
422.4.2 CESSATION OF RECORDING
It is important to keep the MAV system activated until the incident is concluded. An incident is considered concluded when all arrests have been made, arrestees have been transported, and all witnesses and victims have been interviewed. However, supervisors have the authority to instruct the officer to stop the recording.
422.4.3 SURREPTITIOUS RECORDING
No member of this department may surreptitiously record a conversation of any other member of this department except with a court order or when lawfully authorized by the Chief of Police or the authorized designee for the purpose of conducting a criminal or administrative investigation.
422.4.4 SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES
It is imperative for supervisors to ensure the appropriate documentation of vehicles that are equipped with non-functional MAV systems to facilitate the scheduling of necessary repairs. This measure is crucial in maintaining the safety and integrity of department members.
At reasonable intervals, supervisors should validate that:
(a) Beginning and end-of-shift recording procedures are followed.
(b) Functioning as per manufacturer specifications.
(c) The operation of MAV systems by new members is assessed and reviewed no less than biweekly.
When an incident arises that requires the immediate retrieval of the recorded media (e.g., serious crime scenes, officer-involved shootings, department-involved traffic accidents), the appropriate person shall properly retrieve the recorded media. The media may need to be treated as evidence and should be handled in accordance with current evidence procedures for recorded media.
Supervisors may activate the MAV system remotely, if so equipped, to monitor a developing situation, such as a chase, riot or an event that may threaten public safety, officer safety or both, when the purpose is to obtain tactical information to assist in managing the event. Supervisors shall not remotely activate the MAV system for the purpose of monitoring the conversations or actions of an officer.
422.5 REVIEW OF MAV RECORDINGS
All recording media, recorded images, and audio recordings are the property of the Department. Dissemination outside of the Department is strictly prohibited, except to the extent permitted or required by law.
To prevent damage to, or alteration of, the original recorded media, it shall not be copied, viewed, or otherwise inserted into any device not approved by the Department, MAV technician, or forensic media staff. When reasonably possible, a copy of the original media shall be used for viewing (unless otherwise directed by the courts) to preserve the original media. Recordings may be reviewed in any of the following situations:
(a) By officers for use when preparing reports or statements
(b) By a supervisor investigating a specific act of officer conduct
(c) By a supervisor to assess officer performance
(d) To assess proper functioning of MAV systems
(e) By department investigators who are participating in an official investigation, such as a personnel complaint, administrative inquiry, or a criminal investigation
(f) By department personnel who request to review recordings
(g) By an officer who is captured on or referenced in the video or audio data, and reviews and uses such data for any purpose relating to the officer's employment
(h) By court personnel through proper process or with the permission of the Chief of Police or the authorized designee
(i) To assess possible training value
(j) As may be directed by the Chief of Police or the authorized designee
(k) Consistent with state law, upon receiving a written request from an individual or authorized personal representative of an individual whose image or voice is the subject of the recording (Ala. Code § 36-21-213).
Such review shall be limited to portions of the recording that are relevant to the request.
Requests should be denied if there is a reasonable belief that disclosure would compromise the integrity of an active investigation or prosecution.
In no event shall any recording be used or shown for the purpose of ridiculing or embarrassing any member.
422.6 DOCUMENTING MAV USE
If any incident is recorded with either the video or audio system, the existence of that recording shall be documented in the officer's report. If a citation is issued, the officer shouldl make a notation on the back of the records copy of the citation indicating that the incident was recorded.
422.7 RECORDING MEDIA STORAGE AND INTEGRITY
Once submitted for storage, all recording media will be labeled and stored in a designated secure area. All recording media that is not booked as evidence will be retained and disposed of in accordance with the established records retention schedule.
422.7.1 COPIES OF ORIGINAL RECORDING MEDIA
Original recording media shall not be used for any purpose other than for initial review by a supervisor. Upon proper request, a copy of the original recording media will be made for use as authorized in this policy.
Original recording media may only be released in response to a court order or upon approval by the Chief of Police or the authorized designee. In the event that an original recording is released to a court, a copy shall be made and placed in storage until the original is returned.
422.7.2 MAV RECORDINGS AS EVIDENCE
Officers who reasonably believe that a MAV recording is likely to contain evidence relevant to a criminal offense or to a potential claim against the officer or against the Lincoln Police Department should indicate this in an appropriate report. Officers should ensure relevant recordings are preserved.
422.8 SYSTEM OPERATIONAL STANDARDS
Depending on the specific capabilities of the MAVs system, the following will vary:
(a) MAV system vehicle installations should be based on officer safety requirements and the vehicle and device manufacturer's recommendations.
(b) The MAV system should be configured to minimally record for 30 seconds prior to an event.
(c) Unless the transmitters being used are designed for synchronized use, only one transmitter, usually the primary initiating officer's transmitter, should be activated at a scene to minimize interference or noise from other MAV transmitters.
(d) Officers using digital transmitters that are synchronized to their individual MAVs shall activate both audio and video recordings when responding in a support capacity. This is to obtain additional perspectives of the incident scene.
(e) With the exception of law enforcement radios or other emergency equipment, other electronic devices should not be used inside MAV-equipped law enforcement vehicles to minimize the possibility of causing electronic or noise interference with the MAV system.
(f) Officers shall not erase, alter, reuse, modify, or tamper with MAV recordings. Only the Chief of Police, or other authorized designee may erase recordings.
(g) To prevent damage, original recordings shall not be viewed or otherwise inserted into any device not approved by the Department MAV technician or forensic media staff.
422.9 MAV TECHNICIAN RESPONSIBILITIES
The MAV technician is responsible for:
(a) Verification of wireless downloaded media and once collected, the MAV technician:
Ensures it is stored in a secure location with authorized controlled access.
Make the appropriate entries in the chain of custody log if necessary.
(b) Erasing of media by approval from the Chief of Police::
Pursuant to a court order.
In accordance with the established records retention schedule, including reissuing all other media deemed to be of no evidentiary value.
(c) Assigning all media an identification number prior to issuance to the field:
Maintaining a record of issued media.
(d) Ensuring that an adequate supply of recording media is available.
(e) Managing the long-term storage of media that has been deemed to be of evidentiary value in accordance with the department evidence storage protocols and the established records retention schedule.
422.10 TRAINING
All members who are authorized to use the MAV system shall successfully complete an approved course of instruction prior to its use.
These policies and operating procedures are not designed to cover every possible scenario or situation in society, but rather to define standard operating procedures for members of the Lincoln Police Department. These guidelines are subject to past, present and future judicial review. These guidelines can be amended and or repealed by the Chief of Police as necessary. The policies and procedures herein provided supersede all previous policies and orders.
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