Body Worn Camera Program

Police Officer wearing a body camera

The Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) launched the body worn camera program on Wednesday, December 16, 2020, to record all dispatched calls for service, enforcement contacts and investigative contacts. The deployment of cameras includes officers assigned to Patrol, Special Operations, Community Engagement, K-9, Emergency Response Team (commonly referred to as SWAT) and the Tactical (TAC) Unit. This technology compliments the department's in-car camera system and interview room cameras which are used to document digital and audio/video recordings of law enforcement activity and interactions.

Policy Development

Manual Directive 523.01 Release of Information

ACPD is seeking the public’s input and feedback on a draft update to Manual Directive 523.01 Release of Information which governs the release of video footage in police-involved critical incidents. Feedback will be accepted until December 4, 2026.

The update was drafted after a review of policies from regional law enforcement agencies and in coordination with feedback from various stakeholders to better guide the timeline on the release of video footage based on milestones in the investigative process. The goal is to create an updated policy that balances community trust through transparency with ensuring the integrity of the investigative process. Learn more about the criminal and administrative investigative process into police-involved critical incidents.

Review the draft policy

Provide you feedback on the draft policy

Manual Directive 517.08 Digital Evidence Management Systems (DEMS)

Prior to implementing the body worn camera program in 2020, the department sought community feedback on a draft Digital Evidence Management System policy to ensure it was reflective of the Arlington Community’s values, interests and concerns. ACPD strives to provide the level of service that is not only expected but reflective of this community and appreciates all who took the time to read, review and provide feedback. All officers will review and acknowledge receipt of the final policy and receive training regarding the use of body worn cameras.

Based on the community feedback, the following changes were made to the policy:

Modified language in opening statement to reflect that body worn cameras will be used to document digital audio and video recordings of law enforcement activity and interactions with the public.
Added the County Attorney as an entity authorized to copy videos for evidentiary purposes during trial.
Rewrote the language requiring independent supervisory review in any incident in which an officer deactivates their camera during a listed exception. This expands upon the previous requirement that all camera deactivations must be documented in a police incident report and the officer’s supervisor must be notified.
Provided examples of when a recording will hinder or interfere with an investigation such as confidential informants.
Added language that turning off the camera is only authorized during non-confrontational encounters.
Added language requiring officers to activate their body worn camera at the request of any citizen, including during a consensual contact.

Read Manual Directive 517.08 Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS)

Additional Program Information

Video Retention

ACPD follows the retention guidelines set by the Library of Virginia. Recordings not governed by this law are retained for ninety (90) days.

Auditing Process

ACPD is committed to holding ourselves accountable to the highest standard of professional law enforcement. To ensure compliance with departmental policy and procedures, the Department’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) is tasked with internal audits on all allegations of misconduct and any concerns of use or misuse of equipment, personnel, or training.
An internal audit trail documents each time the Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) is accessed and any record of deletion is permanently stored within the system. For auditing purposes, supervisors regularly view videos from their personnel to identify training deficiencies, policy violations and/or instances of exceptional police work.
Additionally, the DEMS Administrator and OPR ensure:
- audits are being completed in accordance with department policy
- only authorized users are accessing data for legitimate and authorized purposes
- the system is being accessed appropriately and in accordance with department policy.

Disciplinary Action for Policy Violations

The Digital Evidence Management System policy is part of the department’s Written Directives Manual. In accordance with regulation 401.00 Administrative Rules and Regulations, all employees shall be thoroughly familiar with these rules and regulations and abide by them. Violating any rules or regulation may result in disciplinary action. Lack of knowledge shall not constitute a defense to any disciplinary action.
When employee actions are not consistent with departmental policies and procedures, appropriate corrective measures are taken to ensure that type of incident does not occur in the future; this includes disciplinary action, up to and including termination. All internal administrative investigations are tracked and stored by OPR. Failure to report an incident and/or misconduct by any member of the department is not tolerated.