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Friday, December 4, 2015

New Police Policies for 2016: Part 4 (Special Rules for Police Camera Grants)


Municipalities throughout Illinois are taking action to promote the integrity of their police departments, as directed by a package of new laws adopted by the General Assembly last summer. Many of these new laws become effective on January 1, 2016.  In this 5 part series, we take a look at how local police departments can be prepared with new policies governing officer-involved deaths, officer-worn body cameras, FOIA, use of force, and more.

Part 4 of 5 in the Series - Special Rules for Police Camera Grants


In 2016, the Law Enforcement Camera Grant Fund will provide grants to local police departments for purchasing in-car video cameras, officer-worn body cameras, and training in their use. The Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board may set eligibility requirements for grants, which will include:

The Board will consider compliance with the Uniform Crime Reporting Act in awarding grant moneys. Additional rules applicable to car camera grants or body camera grants are listed below.

Car Camera Grants 
1.   Cameras must be installed in the law enforcement vehicles.
2.   Videotaping must provide audio of the officer when the officer is outside of the vehicle.
3.   Camera access must be restricted to the supervisors of the officer in the vehicle.
4.   Cameras must be turned on continuously throughout the officer's shift.
5.  A copy of the videotape must be made available upon request to personnel of the law enforcement agency, the local State's Attorney, and any persons depicted in the video. Procedures for distribution of the videotape must include safeguards to protect the identities of individuals who are not a party to the requested stop.
6.   The recordings must be stored for at least 2 years.
7.  Annual reporting requirements, including the number of cameras received and actually installed, a description of the review process used by supervisors, details about any case where a video recording was used, and any other information relevant to the administration of the program.

Body Camera Grants 
2.  Annual reporting requirements, including a brief overview of the department including the number of body cameras and officers using body cameras, any technical issues with the cameras, a description of the review process used by supervisors, details about any case where a recording was used, and details about any internal affairs investigation where a recording was used, and any other information relevant to the administration of the program.

Local police departments should review their policies governing the use of in-car and body cameras to maximize the opportunity for grant eligibility, and keep an eye on the Illinois Law Enforcement Training & Standard’s Board’s website as more grant information becomes available, http://www.ptb.state.il.us.

Post Authored by Daniel J. Bolin, Ancel Glink

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