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Ordinance amending the City Code at Title Six: Conduct, Article VIII: Privacy Policy for Public Security Camera Systems, by adding Chapter 652: Police Recording Devices.
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Whereas, around the country over 50% of police departments have installed video equipment including dashboard cameras and audio microphones in patrol cars; and the recordings from that equipment have helped resolve millions of criminal cases, and;
Whereas, Police Car video equipment can facilitate the collection of evidence for criminal prosecution or complaint investigation and can be used by the Police as a training tool for officer safety and best practices, and;
Whereas, Police car video equipment provide a measure of accountability for the conduct of both police officers and the public, and;
Whereas, Police Car video equipment helps build community trust by providing "objective evidence" of police encounters with residents, thus both protecting citizens and shielding officers from false accusations.
The Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby enacts as follows:
Chapter 652: Police Recording Devices
§652.01 Legislative Findings
(a) Whereas, around the country over 50% of police departments have installed video equipment including dashboard cameras and audio microphones in patrol cars; and the recordings from that equipment have helped resolve millions of criminal cases.
(b) Police Car video equipment can facilitate the collection of evidence for criminal prosecution or complaint investigation and can be used by the Police as a training tool for officer safety and best practices.
(c) Police car video equipment provide a measure of accountability for the conduct of both police officers and the public.
(d) Police Car video equipment helps build community trust by providing objective evidence of police encounters with residents, thus both protecting citizens and shielding officers from false accusations.
§652.02 Police Vehicles
(a) All marked vehicles newly put into service by or for the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police shall be equipped with digital video and audio recording devices.
(b) Each year, at least 20% of all other marked vehicles in service by or for the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police shall be equipped with digital video and audio recording devices.
(c) The Chief of the Bureau of Police may equip unmarked police vehicles as is practical.
§652.03 Media Storage and Security
(a) No later than 90 days from the effective date of this Chapter, the Chief of the Bureau of Police, Director of the Department of Computer Information Systems and the City Solicitor shall institute a policy regarding use, storage and access promulgate regulations, pursuant to state and federal law regarding access to said media They shall submit recommendations to the Mayor and City Council regarding any budgetary needs for their consideration.