ST.

PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT DATE OF EFFECTIVE DATE NUMBER

ISSUE
Uniform Services Bureau
Immediately II-16
February 2009
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
Distribution: All Members
SOP
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Subject: VIDEO RECORDING EQUIPMENT, PRISONER TRANSPORT VAN

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Index as: Audio/Video Recording, Mobile Recording, Mobile Audio/Video

Mobile Audio/Video Equipment Video/Audio, Mobile Recording
Prisoner Transport Van
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Accreditation Standards:
Cross Reference: General Order III-7
USB SOP II-9
Replaces: USB SOP Dated Feb 2009
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This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) consists of the following sections:

I. Purpose
II. Policy
III. Procedure on Equipment
IV. Recording Policy

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of this directive is to provide guidelines for the use of video and audio recording equipment in the prisoner
transport van (PTV).

II. POLICY

It shall be the policy of the departments prisoner transport van members to utilize video and audio recording devices
during the loading and unloading of prisoners. This equipment will only be used by those members assigned and trained
in its use. This is meant to include, but not limit their use to, the loading and unloading of prisoners, the counting of monies,
the searching or pat-down of subjects, and the recording of evidence or property. Officers must conduct themselves
professionally and follow the legal and procedural guidelines set forth by this directive.

III. PROCEDURE ON EQUIPMENT

A. Equipment assignment

Video and audio recording equipment assigned to the (PTV) shall be mounted in the van. The officers assigned to
each particular van shall be responsible for the inspection and working condition of the equipment. The microphone shall
be attached in such a way that conversations between officers and arrested subjects can be recorded.

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B. Equipment repair

Equipment that is not functioning properly shall be reported to the DUI Sergeant and arrangements will be made
for its repair. No attempt to repair the audio or video equipment which would require disassembly is permitted. Cleaner
may be applied as specified by the manufacturer.

C. Distribution of tapes and batteries

1. Blank recording media shall be maintained by the DUI Sergeant for use in the video recording equipment
installed in the Prisoner Transport Van.
2. Batteries for the wireless microphone transmitters shall be maintained at the Equipment Room. Officers should
carry at least two sets of spare batteries at all times.

IV. RECORDING POLICY

A. Video Recording/Taping

1. Loading of Arrested Subjects

a. The PTV operator will activate the recording equipment upon arrival of a prisoner.
b. The recorder shall stay on for the duration of the loading process.
c. If the recording cannot be started prior to the loading process, the PTV officer will begin recording as soon
as possible.
2. The recording equipment will be activated during the unloading of prisoners. The recording of the unloading of
prisoners at the Pinellas County Jail is not necessary as the sally-port area is video and audio recorded.

B. Disposition of recorded media

1. All recorded media shall be labeled prior to use. The label shall contain the officers name, payroll number and
the date range the recording was made.
2. If any activity occurs of evidentiary value, the recorded media shall be handled as any other evidence and
turned into the Property/Evidence section. These recorded media is to be maintained in evidence until the completion of
the appellate process.
3. All other tapes shall be turned into a depository, maintained by the DUI Sergeant or his or her designee. Officers
are required to note the disposition of both evidence and non-evidence tapes on a log maintained in the Traffic Section. The
DUI Sergeant shall maintain those tapes for a period of 90 days. The tapes will be placed back into circulation after they
are erased.
4. PTV officers utilizing the Coban digital video system must download their hard drive when it reaches 75% of
its strength capacity, or sooner. Should any of the recording contain any evidentiary value, a separate CD/DVD shall be
burnt containing the evidence. The CD/DVD will then be placed in to the Property and Evidence section.

_________________________
Luke C. Williams
Assistant Chief of Police

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DVD / VIDEO TAPE LOG

TAPE # OFFICER NAME DISPOSITION DATE

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