HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-12-05 City CouncilCity of Palo Alto
C ty Manager’s Report
TO:HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: POLICE
DATE:December 5, 1996 CMR:494:96
SUBJECT:Police Vehicle Video Pilot Program
REQUEST
This report informs Council of the use of a pilot program involving the installation of a video
camera into a police vehicle to record everyday police activities. No Council action is
requested.
RECOMMENDATIONS
This is an informational report only. No Council action is required.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
There are no policy implications.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The procedure involves the use of the video camera to be mounted into a police vehicle to
record everyday patrol activities. The activities will be videotaped for the purposes of
enhancing the Department’s ability to substantiate probable cause for arrest, arrest procedures,
officer and citizen interaction, evidence for investigative purposes, and for officer training. Any
tapes of important evidentiary value will be logged into evidence on the day of the incident.
All other tapes will be stored, according to established guidelines, for a minimum of thirty days.
This videotaping program is currently being used by law enforcement agencies around the
Country, including local agencies such as Stanford University and Sunnyvale Deparmaents of
Public Safety. This is an accepted practice with the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s
office and all tapes would be admissible in court.
On November 23, 1996, SpectraTek offered to loan a mobile video recording unit to the Palo
Alto Police Department ona trial basis. In return, the Police Department agreed to provide
CMR:494:96 Page 1 of 2
feedback on the performance of the product. SpectraTek is a private business located in
Mountain View.
Although the Police Department is working cooperatively with SpectraTek, it is under no
obligation to purchase any of the company’s products. The trial period will commence during
the week of December 9, 1996, and continue through January 2, 1997. The relationship
between the Police Department and SpectraTek may be ended at any time for any reason.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
This is not a project defined by the California Environmental Quality Act and is not subject to
CEQA requirements.
PREPARED BY: Agent Patricia Stone, Field~rervices.Di-cis~on Staff Assistant
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DEPARTMENT HEAD REVIEW"" ~--__~ c<..x ~’-~--------
CHRIS DURKIN, Police Chief
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:
3, city
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