June 2022 Update
Body worn cameras are just around the corner in Howard County! The equipment is in, training is underway and new BWC administrative staff members are finalizing preparations. We will be working through the summer to launch the BWC program.
After many months of research and development, including input from stakeholders and community groups, the HCPD BWC policy is complete! It has been posted on our website and is available to read in full here: ADM 31 - Body Worn Cameras
In our ongoing commitment to transparency, we have developed a list of frequently asked questions, including information about camera activation, privacy issues, video release and more.
It won't be long before members of our community start to see body worn cameras on officers in the field. The HCPD appreciates all the support we have received in development of this program and we will continue to keep you posted!
The cameras are here! HCPD has just received body worn cameras (BWC) for 300 uniformed officers. With the equipment in-hand, we can now create the infrastructure and implement administrative efforts to get the program running as soon as possible.
The county is installing new data lines to connect the BWC docking stations at police facilities. This will provide the framework needed to dock, charge and download videos from the cameras. They are also installing required equipment in each patrol vehicle to enable the BWC technology.
The BWC policy committee is meeting this month as work continues on a policy for the police chief’s review and approval. The committee has used model policies from other successful BWC programs to ensure best practices for our agency. HCPD leaders have also been meeting with various stakeholders and community groups for input and discussion about the BWC program and policy.
The HCPD Information Management Division has hired new administrative employees who will help run the BWC program behind the scenes. They will be responsible for handling Public Information Act requests and reviewing video before it is released. These employees will undertake extensive training, to include practical exercises that will help prepare them when the cameras are deployed into the field.
Body worn camera training is scheduled to begin in late May for all uniformed officers. We expect to have all the necessary components in place to fully equip and train our members by then. As we move forward, we will continue to keep you posted about our progress!
Body worn cameras are coming to Howard County! The process is underway to have cameras on uniformed officers as soon as possible. As in many industries, there have been supply chain issues causing delays in receiving the BWC equipment. But in the meantime, we’ve been busy getting ready behind the scenes!
While we wait for the cameras to arrive, we have been drafting policy that follows best practices from agencies around the country. Our HR team has been working hard to hire the additional staff needed to handle the administrative side of this large-scale program. And we have been scheduling training sessions for the officers so they can hit the ground running once we have the technology in-hand.
We are doing our best to be patient but are anxious to get the BWC program underway. We appreciate your support and will continue keep you updated throughout the implementation process.
In 2021, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced the implementation of a body worn camera program would be funded in Fiscal Year 2022.
The program includes the following for the Howard County Police Department:
- Cameras for 300 uniformed officers
- New Body Worn Camera Division and Video Management Section
- 10 new positions (three sworn, seven civilian)
- Extensive training for every sworn member and many civilians
- Equipment acquisition
October 2021 News Release: Howard County Executive Signs Budget Amendment to Fund Body-Worn Camera Program Beginning in October
The police department will be working this summer to launch the BWC program. The cameras, docking stations and other necessary equipment are in-hand and training is underway.
Uniformed officers who regularly interact with members of the public as part of their official duties are required to wear and operate BWCs, including Patrol, Community Outreach and School Resource Officers (SROs). Compliance with the BWC Program Policy is mandatory and any violations by officers shall result in disciplinary action. The FY23 approved budget just provided funding, effective July 1, to purchase BWCs for remaining HCPD officers, including detectives and non-uniformed officers.
BWCs are automatically activated every time an officer activates emergency equipment in a patrol car or draws a firearm or Taser. Vehicles and holsters are being equipped with sensors to ensure cameras are immediately activated in these situations.
Officers will activate BWCs for legitimate law enforcement purposes only. The cameras record video from the 60 seconds prior to their activation. An officer who activates a BWC for a law enforcement purpose shall not intentionally deactivate it without a clear investigative purpose and shall document the reason in the written report (i.e. victim request).
When responding to K through 12 educational institutions, officers will refrain from activating the camera unless necessary for law enforcement purposes.
When responding to hospitals or other medical facilities, officers should refrain from activating the BWC until necessary for investigation or other law enforcement purposes. To the extent possible, officers will protect medical privacy.
Officers shall inform citizens that they are being recorded at the beginning of their contact or as soon as safely possible. Victims, witnesses and other persons who wish to make a statement or share information during a voluntary interaction, may request the officer to stop (or not start) the Body Worn Camera (BWC) video and audio recording.
Officers may honor these requests but are not required to stop recording if it is pursuant to investigation, arrest, lawful search, or the circumstances clearly indicate that continued recording is necessary.
Every effort will be made to provide language assistance to citizens who are limited- or non-English proficient to understand that they are being recorded.
The County Council approved the County Executive’s requests to fund the affected county departments to implement the BWC program. The approved FY23 budget funding (and estimated FY22 costs) includes:
- Police - $2.8M ($1.6M in FY22)
- Sheriff - $411k ($301k in FY22)
- State's Attorney - $1.5M ($824k for FY22)
- Department of Technology and Communication Services - $28k ($56k in FY22)
Recordings will be kept for at least three (3) years, or the minimum time required under all applicable laws and policies. BWC recordings that are considered evidence related to an investigation or complaint will be retained until the case is adjudicated.
Open homicide and sexual assault evidence is retained for 80 years. All other open felony case evidence is retained for 10 years.
HCPD will release BWC footage consistent with the Maryland Public Information Act and other applicable State and Federal statutes and regulations and in consultation with the Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office. Each video will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to ensure a timely release without negatively impacting a criminal investigation or prosecution.
Yes, private information will be redacted prior to a video’s release in compliance with all records release laws. This may include medical information protected under HIPAA.
No, an officer does not have the ability to delete or alter recordings.
The entire HCPD BWC policy is available to the public on our website: ADM 31 - Body Worn Cameras
Regular updates about the progress of the BWC program are posted on social media and available to the public on our website.