BWCS Web Instrument Final

OMB No. 1121-0354: Approval Expires 02/28/2019

Body Worn Camera Supplement (BWCS) to the Law
Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics
(LEMAS) Survey
Introductory information
The Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), in partnership with RTI International, is
conducting a survey about the use of body-worn cameras. The Body Worn Camera
Supplement (BWCS) to the Law Enforcement Management and Administrative
Statistics (LEMAS) Survey includes items that are relevant to all law enforcement
agencies – regardless of whether your agency has acquired or has considered
acquiring these cameras.
The BWCS seeks additional information that has not been fully captured by other
recent surveys examining use of body-worn cameras by law enforcement agencies.
The survey examines reasons for acquiring cameras (or not), alternate means of
documenting officer-citizen interactions, policies and procedures about camera use
and handling of the resulting video files, and obstacles to camera acquisition and use.
Please complete this survey even if your agency does not currently have bodyworn cameras.
This survey should be filled out by your law enforcement agency’s chief executive or
another individual who is most knowledgeable about your agency’s plans or
experiences with body-worn cameras.
The survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete.

Burden Statement
Federal agencies may not conduct or sponsor an information collection, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information,
unless it displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 20
minutes per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and
completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate, or any other aspects of this collection of
information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to the Director, Bureau of Justice Statistics, 810 Seventh Street, NW, Washington, DC
20531. The Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, as amended (42 USC 3732), authorizes this information collection. Although this
survey is voluntary, we urgently need your cooperation to make the results comprehensive, accurate, and timely. We greatly appreciate your
assistance.

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Agency Information
Agency Information
Please provide or update your agency’s information below, as necessary. Contact
information will only be used if needed to follow-up on survey submission.

Agency name

_________________________________________________

Agency 9-digit ORI number used for reporting purposes

____________

Type of Agency: Local Police, County Police, Sheriff’s Office, Primary State,
Other- OPEN ENDED RESPONSE, NO VALIDATION

Primary contact name _______________________________________
Primary contact rank/title

_______________________________________

Primary contact email _______________________________________
Primary contact phone _______________________________________
Approximate number of full-time sworn officers with general arrest powers
_______
Check here if you want to designate a new point of contact for future LEMAS
surveys: [CHECK BOX]
Logic: Hidden unless: Question "Check here if…" is “True”

1)
2)
3)
4)

Updated contact name
Updated contact rank/title
Updated contact email
Updated contact phone

_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________

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Officer/Citizen Interaction
Records of Officer/Citizen Interaction
First, we would like to know about how your agency collects information about
officer-citizen interactions. If you are unsure of the correct response to any
question, please provide your best guess or estimate.
5) Has your agency acquired any of the following tools to record officer-citizen
interactions? Please select one response for each tool.
Agency has acquired in
any form
(including testing)

Agency has not
acquired

Body-worn cameras

[]

[]

Car dashboard cameras

[]

[]

Personal audio recorders

[]

[]

Other event-recording equipment

[]

[]

Logic: Hidden unless: Question "Other event-recording equipment" is one of the following
answers ("Agency has acquired")

6)

What other event-recording equipment does your agency use?
[ ] OPEN ENDED RESPONSE- TEXT VALIDATION

______________________________________________________________________________

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Page entry logic: This page will show when: Question "Body-worn cameras" is one of the
following answers ("Agency has acquired")
Body-worn Cameras
The next set of questions ask about your agency’s experience with body-worn
cameras. If you are unsure of the correct response to any question, please
provide your best guess or estimate.
Logic: Hidden unless: Question "Body-worn cameras" is one of the following answers
("Agency has acquired")
7)

When did your agency first get body-worn cameras? Provide estimate if exact month
and year are unknown.
SELECT MONTH:

SELECT YEAR:

Logic: Hidden unless: Question "Body-worn cameras" is one of the following answers
("Agency has acquired")
8)

About how many body-worn cameras are currently in service?
[ ] Open ended response, numeric response validation

9)

This number is an:
[ ] Estimate
[ ] Actual count of deployed devices

Logic: Hidden unless: Question "Body-worn cameras" is one of the following answers
("Agency has acquired")
10)

How would you describe the current state of body-worn camera deployment in your
agency?
[ ] Exploratory/pilot deployment
[ ] Partial deployment
[ ] Complete deployment for some assignments / partial deployment in others
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[ ] Full deployment to all intended personnel
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know
11)

Do you plan to deploy additional body-worn cameras in the next 12 months?
[ ] Yes- Please specify the anticipated number of BWCs that will be purchased
[ ] No
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know

Logic: Hidden unless: Question "Body-worn cameras" is one of the following answers
("Agency has acquired") AND “Level of deployment is one of the following answers
(“Limited deployment / exploratory”, “Partial deployment”, “Complete deployment for
some assignments / partial deployment in others”)
12)

What has prevented a full deployment of body-worn cameras?
Please check all that apply.
[ ] Insufficient funding
[ ] Lack of data storage capacity
[ ] Lack of staff to handle video footage resulting from BWC
[ ] Benefits remain unclear
[ ] Lack of officer support
[ ] Lack of union support
[ ] Lack of supervisory or leadership support
[ ] Insufficient time to complete deployment
[ ] Inability to acquire sufficient hardware
[ ] Currently vetting vendor offerings
[ ] Technological challenges (e.g. limited upload bandwidth)
[ ] Unresolved legal or policy issues
[ ] Other- (Please Specify) OPEN ENDED RESPONSE- NO VALIDATION
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know

________________________________________________________________________
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Logic: Hidden unless: Question "Body-worn cameras" is one of the following answers
("Agency has acquired")

13)

Why did your agency get body-worn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply.
[ ] Improve officer safety
[ ] Improve training
[ ] Improve officer professionalism
[ ] Improve officer/agency accountability
[ ] Improve evidence quality
[ ] Improve community perceptions of the agency
[ ] Reduce agency liability
[ ] Reduce use of force incidents
[ ] Reduce or more quickly resolve citizen complaints
[ ] Simplify incident review
[ ] Strengthen police leadership
[ ] Make cases more prosecutable
[ ] To receive funding that required purchase of body-worn cameras
[ ] Response to external pressures (e.g. legislative, judicial or executive mandate from
outside of the police agency)
[ ] Conduct a pilot test to determine body-worn camera feasibility and utility
[ ] Other- (Please Specify) OPEN ENDED RESPONSE- NO VALIDATION
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know

Logic: Hidden unless: (((Question "Body-worn cameras" is one of the following answers
("Agency has acquired") AND Question "What were the primary reasons for acquiring the
body-worn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 ) AND (((((((((((((((((Question "What were the primary
reasons for acquiring the body-worn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("Enhance officer safety") AND
Question "What were the primary reasons for acquiring the body-worn camera(s)?
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Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("Improve agency accountability"))
AND Question "What were the primary reasons for acquiring the body-worn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("Improve evidential quality"))
AND Question "What were the primary reasons for acquiring the body-worn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("Support public order and
accountability")) AND Question "What were the primary reasons for acquiring the bodyworn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("Reduce agency liability")) AND
Question "What were the primary reasons for acquiring the body-worn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("Simplify incident review")) AND
Question "What were the primary reasons for acquiring the body-worn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("Enhance new recruit and inservice training through post-incident use of videos")) AND Question "What were the
primary reasons for acquiring the body-worn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("Improve community and media
perceptions of the agency")) AND Question "What were the primary reasons for acquiring
the body-worn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("Strengthen police leadership"))
AND Question "What were the primary reasons for acquiring the body-worn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("Advance prosecution and case
resolution")) AND Question "What were the primary reasons for acquiring the body-worn
camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("Enhance officer performance and
professionalism")) AND Question "What were the primary reasons for acquiring the bodyworn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("Increase homeland security"))
AND Question "What were the primary reasons for acquiring the body-worn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("Upgrade technology policies and
procedures")) AND Question "What were the primary reasons for acquiring the bodyworn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("To receive funding that required
purchase of body-worn cameras")) AND Question "What were the primary reasons for
acquiring the body-worn camera(s)?
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Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("Legislative, judicial or executive
mandate from outside of the police agency")) AND Question "What were the primary
reasons for acquiring the body-worn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("Conduct a pilot test to determine
body-worn camera feasibility and utility")) AND Question "What were the primary
reasons for acquiring the body-worn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("Not Sure")) AND Question "What
were the primary reasons for acquiring the body-worn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("Other (Please specify)"))) AND
(((((((((((((((Question "What were the primary reasons for acquiring the body-worn
camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("Enhance officer safety", "Other
(Please specify)") AND Question "What were the primary reasons for acquiring the bodyworn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("Improve agency accountability",
"Other (Please specify)")) AND Question "What were the primary reasons for acquiring
the body-worn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("Improve evidential quality",
"Other (Please specify)")) AND Question "What were the primary reasons for acquiring
the body-worn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("Support public order and
accountability", "Other (Please specify)")) AND Question "What were the primary reasons
for acquiring the body-worn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("Reduce agency liability", "Other
(Please specify)")) AND Question "What were the primary reasons for acquiring the bodyworn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("Simplify incident review", "Other
(Please specify)")) AND Question "What were the primary reasons for acquiring the bodyworn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("Enhance new recruit and inservice training through post-incident use of videos", "Other (Please specify)")) AND
Question "What were the primary reasons for acquiring the body-worn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("Improve community and media
perceptions of the agency", "Other (Please specify)")) AND Question "What were the
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primary reasons for acquiring the body-worn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("Strengthen police leadership",
"Other (Please specify)")) AND Question "What were the primary reasons for acquiring
the body-worn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("Advance prosecution and case
resolution", "Other (Please specify)")) AND Question "What were the primary reasons for
acquiring the body-worn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("Enhance officer performance and
professionalism", "Other (Please specify)")) AND Question "What were the primary
reasons for acquiring the body-worn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("Increase homeland security",
"Other (Please specify)")) AND Question "What were the primary reasons for acquiring
the body-worn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("Upgrade technology policies and
procedures", "Other (Please specify)")) AND Question "What were the primary reasons
for acquiring the body-worn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("To receive funding that required
purchase of body-worn cameras", "Other (Please specify)")) AND Question "What were
the primary reasons for acquiring the body-worn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("Legislative, judicial or executive
mandate from outside of the police agency", "Other (Please specify)")) AND Question
"What were the primary reasons for acquiring the body-worn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply." #16 is not exactly equal to ("Conduct a pilot test to determine
body-worn camera feasibility and utility", "Other (Please specify)")))
Piping: Piped Values From Question 16. (What were the primary reasons for acquiring the bodyworn camera(s)?
Please check all that apply.
14)

Which of these was the most important reason for acquiring body-worn cameras?

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(untitled)
Logic: Hidden unless: Question "Body-worn cameras" is one of the following answers
("Agency has acquired")
The next set of questions ask about your agency's policies surrounding the
transfer, storage, and disposal of video files resulting from body-worn cameras. If
you are unsure of the correct response to any question, please provide your best
guess or estimate.
15)

Does your agency have a formal policy on the use of body-worn cameras or the
video footage recorded by those cameras?
[ ] Yes
[ ] Under development / Policy is in draft form
[ ] No
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know

16)

Were any published guidelines from independent sources (such as the NIJ, BJA,
PERF, IACP, CALEA, etc.) used in the formulation of policies and procedures
regarding body-worn camera deployment, use, or video storage?
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know

(untitled)
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("Agency has acquired") AND Question "Does your agency have a formal policy on the use
of body-worn cameras or the video footage recorded by those cameras?" #20 is one of the
following answers ("Yes"), (Under development / Policy is in draft form))

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17)

Select all the topics covered by your agency’s body-worn camera (or related) policy.
Yes

No

Unsure

What events to record
When/how to inform citizens they are being recorded
Transfer, storage, or disposal of video
Frequency of uploading or offloading video
Officers are allowed to review footage before making
a formal statement
Periodic/routine supervisor review of footage
Public release of raw (unredacted) video footage
Content/objects that must be redacted
18)

Does your agency use BWC footage to inform and/or develop in-service training?
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know

Logic: Hidden unless: (Question "Body-worn cameras" is one of the following answers
("Agency has acquired") AND Question "Select all the topics covered by your agency’s bodyworn cameras (or related) policy, What events to record" is one of the following answers
("Yes"))
19)

In what situations are officers required to turn on their body-worn cameras?
Please check all that apply.
[ ] Responding to routine calls for service
[ ] Traffic stops
[ ] Officer-initiated citizen contact
[ ] Firearms deployments
[ ] Public order policing
[ ] Policing public events
[ ] Criminal investigations
[ ] Special operations
[ ] Executing arrest or search warrants
[ ] Transporting offenders
[ ] Other- (Please Specify) OPEN ENDED RESPONSE- NO VALIDATION
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[ ] Unsure / Don’t know

Logic: Hidden unless: (Question "Body-worn cameras" is one of the following answers
("Agency has acquired") AND Question "Select all the topics covered by your agency’s bodyworn camera (or related) policy, Transfer, storage, or disposal of video" is one of the following
answers ("Yes"))
20)

Per policy, how long must typical video files be retained?
[ ] Files are not stored unless manually flagged
[ ] 30 days or less
[ ] 1 month up to one year
[ ] More than 1 year and up to 5 years
[ ] More than 5 years
[ ] Indefinitely
[ ] Other- (Please Specify) OPEN ENDED RESPONSE- NO VALIDATION
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know

21)

Under what circumstances would video files be retained for a longer periods of
time?
Please check all that apply.
[ ] Associated with officer use of force
[ ] Associated with a citizen complaint
[ ] Used as evidence in a legal proceeding
[ ] Officer request
[ ] At the request of supervisor or agency management
[ ] FOIA or other public access request
[ ] Other- (Please Specify) OPEN ENDED RESPONSE- NO VALIDATION
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know

(untitled)

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Logic: Hidden unless: Question "Body-worn cameras" is one of the following answers
("Agency has acquired")
22)

Have body-worn cameras been deployed to officers assigned to any of the following
duties?
Please check all that apply.
[ ] Traditional patrol / vehicle-based patrols
[ ] Primarily proactive / self-initiated public contacts
[ ] Foot patrols
[ ] Bicycle patrols
[ ] Motorcycle patrols
[ ] Traffic enforcement
[ ] Warrant executions
[ ] Criminal investigations
[ ] Drug enforcement
[ ] Detention and transfers
[ ] SWAT operations
[ ] N/A - Our agency has acquired officer worn cameras, but has not begun using them
yet.
[ ] Other (Please specify): OPEN ENDED RESPONSE- NO VALIDATION
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know

(untitled)
Logic: Hidden unless: (Question "Body-worn cameras" is one of the following answers
("Agency has acquired") AND Question "Do any officers assigned to the duties described
below wear body cameras on a regular basis?
Please check all that apply." #26 is one of the following answers ("traditional patrol /
vehicle-based patrol "))
23)

What best describes the deployment of body-worn cameras for officers primarily
engaged in traditional patrol / vehicle-based patrol?
13

[ ] Exploratory/pilot deployment
[ ] Partial deployment
[ ] Complete deployment for some assignments / partial deployment in others
[ ] Full deployment to all intended personnel
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know

Logic: Hidden unless: (Question "Body-worn cameras" is one of the following answers
("Agency has acquired") AND Question "Do any officers assigned to the duties described
below wear body cameras on a regular basis?
Please check all that apply." #26 is one of the following answers ("proactive / self-initiated
public contacts"))
24)

What best describes the deployment of body-worn cameras for officers primarily
engaged in primarily proactive/ self-initiated public contacts?
[ ] Exploratory/pilot deployment
[ ] Partial deployment
[ ] Complete deployment for some assignments / partial deployment in others
[ ] Full deployment to all intended personnel
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know

Logic: Hidden unless: (Question "Body-worn cameras" is one of the following answers
("Agency has acquired") AND Question "Do any officers assigned to the duties described
below wear body cameras on a regular basis?
Please check all that apply." #26 is one of the following answers ("foot patrols"))
25)

What best describes the deployment of body-worn cameras for officers primarily
engaged in foot patrols?
[ ] Exploratory/pilot deployment
[ ] Partial deployment
[ ] Complete deployment for some assignments / partial deployment in others
[ ] Full deployment to all intended personnel
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know

14

Logic: Hidden unless: (Question "Body-worn cameras" is one of the following answers
("Agency has acquired") AND Question "Do any officers assigned to the duties described
below wear body cameras on a regular basis?
Please check all that apply." #26 is one of the following answers ("bicycle patrols"))

26)

What best describes the deployment of body-worn cameras for officers primarily
engaged in bicycle patrols?
[ ] Exploratory/pilot deployment
[ ] Partial deployment
[ ] Complete deployment for some assignments / partial deployment in others
[ ] Full deployment to all intended personnel
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know

Logic: Hidden unless: (Question "Body-worn cameras" is one of the following answers
("Agency has acquired") AND Question "Do any officers assigned to the duties described
below wear body cameras on a regular basis?
Please check all that apply." #26 is one of the following answers ("Motorcycle patrols"))
27)

What best describes the deployment of body-worn cameras for officers primarily
engaged in motorcycle patrols?
[ ] Exploratory/pilot deployment
[ ] Partial deployment
[ ] Complete deployment for some assignments / partial deployment in others
[ ] Full deployment to all intended personnel
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know

Logic: Hidden unless: (Question "Body-worn cameras" is one of the following answers
("Agency has acquired") AND Question "Do any officers assigned to the duties described
below wear body cameras on a regular basis?
Please check all that apply." #26 is one of the following answers ("traffic enforcement"))

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28)

What best describes the deployment of body-worn cameras for officers primarily
engaged in traffic enforcement?
[ ] Exploratory/pilot deployment
[ ] Partial deployment
[ ] Complete deployment for some assignments / partial deployment in others
[ ] Full deployment to all intended personnel
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know

Logic: Hidden unless: (Question "Body-worn cameras" is one of the following answers
("Agency has acquired") AND Question "Do any officers assigned to the duties described
below wear body cameras on a regular basis?
Please check all that apply." #26 is one of the following answers ("Warrant executions"))
29)

What best describes the deployment of body-worn cameras for officers primarily
engaged in warrant executions?
[ ] Exploratory/pilot deployment
[ ] Partial deployment
[ ] Complete deployment for some assignments / partial deployment in others
[ ] Full deployment to all intended personnel
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know

Logic: Hidden unless: (Question "Body-worn cameras" is one of the following answers
("Agency has acquired") AND Question "Do any officers assigned to the duties described
below wear body cameras on a regular basis?
Please check all that apply." #26 is one of the following answers ("Criminal
investigations"))
30)

What best describes the deployment of body-worn cameras for officers primarily
engaged in criminal investigations?
[ ] Exploratory/pilot deployment
[ ] Partial deployment
[ ] Complete deployment for some assignments / partial deployment in others
[ ] Full deployment to all intended personnel
16

[ ] Unsure / Don’t know
Logic: Hidden unless: (Question "Body-worn cameras" is one of the following answers
("Agency has acquired") AND Question "Do any officers assigned to the duties described
below wear body cameras on a regular basis?
Please check all that apply." #26 is one of the following answers ("Special operations, such
as drug trafficking"))
31)

What best describes the deployment of body-worn cameras for officers primarily
engaged in drug enforcement?
[ ] Exploratory/pilot deployment
[ ] Partial deployment
[ ] Complete deployment for some assignments / partial deployment in others
[ ] Full deployment to all intended personnel
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know

Logic: Hidden unless: (Question "Body-worn cameras" is one of the following answers
("Agency has acquired") AND Question "Do any officers assigned to the duties described
below wear body cameras on a regular basis?
Please check all that apply." #26 is one of the following answers ("Detention and
transfers"))
32)

What best describes the deployment of body-worn cameras for officers primarily
engaged in detentions and transfers?
[ ] Exploratory/pilot deployment
[ ] Partial deployment
[ ] Complete deployment for some assignments / partial deployment in others
[ ] Full deployment to all intended personnel
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know

Logic: Hidden unless: (Question "Body-worn cameras" is one of the following answers
("Agency has acquired") AND Question "Do any officers assigned to the duties described
below wear body cameras on a regular basis?
Please check all that apply." #26 is one of the following answers ("SWAT"))

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33)

What best describes the deployment of body-worn cameras for officers primarily
engaged in SWAT operations?
[ ] Exploratory/pilot deployment
[ ] Partial deployment
[ ] Complete deployment for some assignments / partial deployment in others
[ ] Full deployment to all intended personnel
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know

(untitled)
Logic: Hidden unless: Question "Body-worn cameras" is one of the following answers
("Agency has acquired")
34)

Select all the features present on your body-worn camera system?
Please check all that apply.
[ ] Time / date stamp
[ ] Variable camera placement (e.g. eyewear, lapel, other part of uniform)
[ ] Pre-event video buffer (e.g. the device continuously records video which is saved
when the device is activated)
[ ] Capable of recording in low light conditions
[ ] Playback screen
[ ] Minimum battery life (Please specify hours) OPEN ENDED RESPONSE- NUMERIC
VALIDATION
[ ] Global Positioning System (GPS) information
[ ] Safeguards against inadvertent video file corruption, loss, or tampering
[ ] Officer down alerts
[ ] Officer event tagging
[ ] Flexible placement (e.g. lapel mount, chest mount, glasses mount)
[ ] Other (Please specify): OPEN ENDED RESPONSE- NO VALIDATION
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know

18

(untitled)
Logic: Hidden unless: Question "Body-worn cameras" is one of the following answers
("Agency has acquired")
35)

Indicate your degree of agreement with the following statements:
Strongly
disagree

Disagree Agree

Implementation was more
expensive than anticipated
Implementation required
more staff time than
anticipated
BWCs provide reliable
evidence of officer-citizen
interactions
BWCs have been useful in
protecting officers from
unwarranted complaints
BWCs have been a useful tool
for supervising officers
BWCs have improved
professionalism of officers
BWCs have helped identify
instances of officer
misconduct that might not
have been identified without
them
BWCs have improved
relationships between the
agency and the community

19

Strongly
agree

Don’t
know

Too
soon to
know

(untitled)
Logic: Hidden unless: (Question "Body-worn cameras" is one of the following answers
("Agency has acquired"))
The next set of questions ask about your agency's experience and procedures
around the use and dissemination of videos produced by body-worn cameras.
36)

Does your agency keep a log of or otherwise track internal (i.e., law enforcement
agency staff) access to video files?
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know

37)

Who has direct access to view video files? In other words, who can access the files
without filing a formal request?
Please check all that apply
[ ] Chief executive of law enforcement agency
[ ] Executive staff of law enforcement agency
[ ] Internal affairs
[ ] Head of information technology group in the law enforcement agency
[ ] Other information technology staff in the law enforcement agency
[ ] Officer that made the video recording
[ ] Supervisor of officer that made the video recording
[ ] Other sworn law enforcement agency staff
[ ] Other non-sworn law enforcement agency staff
[ ] District attorney’s office
[ ] Vendor staff
[ ] Other (Please specify): OPEN ENDED RESPONSE- NO VALIDATION
[ ] None of the above
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know

38)

On average, how many times per month does the public request video generated by
body-worn cameras?
[ ] 0 requests
20

[ ] 1 – 5 requests
[ ] 6 – 10 requests
[ ] 11 – 15 requests
[ ] 16 or more requests
[ ] Public has never requested video generated by BWC
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know
Logic: Hidden unless: (Question "On average, how many times per month…" answers
greater than 0)
39)

On average, how much staff time does it take to produce a video requested by the
public? This should be actual staff time needed to conduct retrieval, redaction, and
dissemination, not necessarily the amount of time between video request and video
dissemination.
[ ] Less than 60 minutes
[ ] 1-2 hours
[ ] 3-4 hours
[ ] 5-6 hours
[ ] 7-8 hours
[ ] More than 9 hours
[ ] Public has never requested video generated by BWC
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know

40)

Has you agency ever denied the public’s access to body-worn camera footage?
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
[ ] Public has never requested video generated by BWC
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know

Logic: Hidden unless: (Question "Has your agency ever denied…" is “yes”)
41)

Under what conditions have video requests from the public been denied?
[ ] The video was part of an ongoing investigation

21

[ ] The video would have deprived a person of their right to a fair trial
[ ] The video constituted an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
[ ] The video risked identifying confidential sources
[ ] The video revealed techniques and procedures for investigations that could be used to
circumvent the law
[ ] The video would have endangered the life or safety of an individual
[ ] Other (please specify): OPEN ENDED RESPONSE- NO VALIDATION
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know

42)

What obstacles have your agency encountered in using cameras or the associated
video?
Please check all that apply.
[ ] Concerns about the security of the information contained in the videos
[ ] Concerns about procedures surrounding storage of the videos
[ ] Concerns about privacy
[ ] Concerns about liability
[ ] Costs were greater than anticipated
[ ] Burden of replying to public/agency requests for video data
[ ] Lack of public support
[ ] Lack of officer support
[ ] Lack of support from labor union or other group representing officers
[ ] Cameras use has not benefitted the agency as expected
[ ] Technical obstacles to implementation (e.g., poor video or sound quality)
[ ] Other (Please specify) : OPEN ENDED RESPONSE- NO VALIDATION
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know

(untitled)

Please check all that apply. " #50 ) AND Question "Body-worn cameras" is one of the
following answers ("Agency has acquired")) AND ((((((((((Question "What obstacles has
22

your agency or your officers encountered in using cameras or the associated video?
Please check all that apply. " #50 is not exactly equal to ("Concerns about the security of the
information contained in the videos") AND Question "What obstacles has your agency or
your officers encountered in using cameras or the associated video?
Please check all that apply. " #50 is not exactly equal to ("Concerns about procedures
surrounding storage of the videos, including storage capacity")) AND Question "What
obstacles has your agency or your officers encountered in using cameras or the associated
video?
Please check all that apply. " #50 is not exactly equal to ("Concerns about privacy")) AND
Question "What obstacles has your agency or your officers encountered in using cameras
or the associated video?
Please check all that apply. " #50 is not exactly equal to ("Costs to maintain and use the
cameras are greater than anticipated")) AND Question "What obstacles has your agency
or your officers encountered in using cameras or the associated video?
Please check all that apply. " #50 is not exactly equal to ("Concerns about liability")) AND
Question "What obstacles has your agency or your officers encountered in using cameras
or the associated video?
Please check all that apply. " #50 is not exactly equal to ("Lack of public support")) AND
Question "What obstacles has your agency or your officers encountered in using cameras
or the associated video?
Please check all that apply. " #50 is not exactly equal to ("Lack of officer support")) AND
Question "What obstacles has your agency or your officers encountered in using cameras
or the associated video?
Please check all that apply. " #50 is not exactly equal to ("Cameras use has not benefitted
the agency as expected")) AND Question "What obstacles has your agency or your officers
encountered in using cameras or the associated video?
Please check all that apply. " #50 is not exactly equal to ("Technical obstacles to
implementation (e.g., poor video or sound quality, video does not turn on)")) AND
Question "What obstacles has your agency or your officers encountered in using cameras
or the associated video?
Please check all that apply. " #50 is not exactly equal to ("Lack of support from labor union
or other group representing officers")) AND Question "What obstacles has your agency or
your officers encountered in using cameras or the associated video?
Please check all that apply. " #50 is not exactly equal to ("Other (Please specify) "))) AND
(((((((((Question "What obstacles has your agency or your officers encountered in using
23

cameras or the associated video?
Please check all that apply. " #50 is not exactly equal to ("Concerns about the security of the
information contained in the videos", "Other (Please specify) ") AND Question "What
obstacles has your agency or your officers encountered in using cameras or the associated
video?
Please check all that apply. " #50 is not exactly equal to ("Concerns about procedures
surrounding storage of the videos, including storage capacity", "Other (Please specify) "))
AND Question "What obstacles has your agency or your officers encountered in using
cameras or the associated video?
Please check all that apply. " #50 is not exactly equal to ("Concerns about privacy", "Other
(Please specify) ")) AND Question "What obstacles has your agency or your officers
encountered in using cameras or the associated video?
Please check all that apply. " #50 is not exactly equal to ("Costs to maintain and use the
cameras are greater than anticipated", "Other (Please specify) ")) AND Question "What
obstacles has your agency or your officers encountered in using cameras or the associated
video?
Please check all that apply. " #50 is not exactly equal to ("Concerns about liability", "Other
(Please specify) ")) AND Question "What obstacles has your agency or your officers
encountered in using cameras or the associated video?
Please check all that apply. " #50 is not exactly equal to ("Lack of public support", "Other
(Please specify) ")) AND Question "What obstacles has your agency or your officers
encountered in using cameras or the associated video?
Please check all that apply. " #50 is not exactly equal to ("Lack of officer support", "Other
(Please specify) ")) AND Question "What obstacles has your agency or your officers
encountered in using cameras or the associated video?
Please check all that apply. " #50 is not exactly equal to ("Cameras use has not benefitted
the agency as expected", "Other (Please specify) ")) AND Question "What obstacles has
your agency or your officers encountered in using cameras or the associated video?
Please check all that apply. " #50 is not exactly equal to ("Technical obstacles to
implementation (e.g., poor video or sound quality, video does not turn on)","Other (Please
specify) ")) AND Question "What obstacles has your agency or your officers encountered
in using cameras or the associated video?
Please check all that apply. " #50 is not exactly equal to ("Lack of support from labor union
or other group representing officers", "Other (Please specify) ")))
Piping: Piped Values From Question 50. (What obstacles has your agency or your officers
encountered in using cameras or the associated video?
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Please check all that apply. )
43)

Of these, which is the greatest obstacle you have encountered?

Page entry logic: This page will show when: Question "Has your agency acquired any of the
following tools to record officer-citizen interactions (select one response for each tool)?: Bodyworn cameras" is ("Agency has not acquired")

Body-worn Cameras
We are interested in your agency’s plans to acquire or experience considering
body-worn cameras.
44)

What are the primary reasons that your agency has not acquired any body-worn
cameras?
Please check all that apply.
[ ] No perceived need for the technology
[ ] Lack of community support
[ ] Lack of support from agency leadership
[ ] Lack of support from patrol officers
[ ] Cost of hardware
[ ] Cost of training
[ ] Cost of ongoing maintenance/support
[ ] Costs of video storage and/or disposal
[ ] Costs of managing public records request and/or video redaction
[ ] Privacy concerns
[ ] Liability concerns
[ ] Likelihood of technical difficulties with camera operation
[ ] Obstacles associated with transfer and storage of videos
[ ] Other (Please specify) : OPEN ENDED RESPONSE- NO VALIDATION
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know
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45)

How likely are you to consider acquiring body-worn cameras in the next year?
[ ] Very likely
[ ] Likely
[ ] Unlikely
[ ] Very unlikely
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know

46)

What factors will determine whether you explore body-worn cameras in the next
year?
Please check all that apply
[ ] Public expectations
[ ] Leadership directives
[ ] Initial acquisition costs
[ ] Ongoing maintenance costs
[ ] Privacy concerns
[ ] Liability concerns
[ ] Support from agency leadership
[ ] Support from patrol officers
[ ] Communication or relationship with vendor(s)
[ ] Other similar or nearby jurisdictions acquiring BWC
[ ] Other (Please specify): OPEN ENDED RESPONSE- NO VALIDATION
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know

Logic: Hidden unless: (Question "likely to explore acquiring" is one of the following
answers ("Very likely") or (“Likely”)

47)

When do you anticipate acquiring body-worn cameras?
[ ] Within the next 3 months
[ ] 4 – 6 months
[ ] 7 – 12 months
[ ] More than 12 months
26

[ ] No anticipated date
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know
48)

How supportive do you think patrol officers would be if your agency implemented
body-worn cameras?
[ ] Very supportive
[ ] Somewhat supportive
[ ] Not supportive
[ ] Officers would likely not have a reaction one way or the other
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know

49)

How supportive do you think the community would be if your agency implemented
body-worn cameras?
[ ] Very supportive
[ ] Somewhat supportive
[ ] Not supportive
[ ] Community would likely not have a reaction one way or the other
[ ] Unsure / Don’t know

Page entry logic: This page will show for all users.
50)

Does your agency formally document and store civilian complaints against sworn
officers in paper or electronic format?
[ ] Yes- Electronic only
[ ] Yes- Paper only
[ ] Yes- Both paper and electronic records
[ ] No- Agency does not document and store civilian complaints

Logic: Hidden unless: (Question "agency document complaints" is one of the following
answers ("Yes”)
51)

Are these paper or electronic civilian complaint records easily retrievable?
[ ] Yes
[ ] No
27

Logic: Hidden unless: (Question "easily retrievable" is one of the following answers
("Yes”)
52)

How many formal civilian complaints against sworn officers were received in
2015?
[ ] OPEN ENDED RESPONSE- NUMERIC VALIDATION

53)

Of the civilian complaints identified in question 53, how many involved at least one
allegation of excessive use of physical force?
[ ] OPEN ENDED RESPONSE- NUMERIC VALIDATION

54)

For the civilian complaints reporting excessive use of physical force, what was the
total number allegations related to excessive use of physical force? There may be more
than one allegation per complaint.
[ ] OPEN ENDED RESPONSE- NUMERIC VALIDATION

55)

For the allegations identified in question 54, how many were:
a. Unfounded (the complaint was not based on facts, or reported incident did not occur)
[ ] OPEN ENDED RESPONSE- NUMERIC VALIDATION
b. Exonerated (The incident occurred, but officer action was deemed lawful and proper)
[ ] OPEN ENDED RESPONSE- NUMERIC VALIDATION
c. Not sustained (Insufficient evidence to prove the allegation)
[ ] OPEN ENDED RESPONSE- NUMERIC VALIDATION
d. Sustained (Sufficient evidence to justify disciplinary action against the officer(s))
[ ] OPEN ENDED RESPONSE- NUMERIC VALIDATION
e. Pending (Final disposition of the allegation has not been made)
[ ] OPEN ENDED RESPONSE- NUMERIC VALIDATION
f. Other disposition (e.g., withdrawn)
[ ] OPEN ENDED RESPONSE- NUMERIC VALIDATION
28

g. Total use of force allegations (sum of lines a through f)
[ ] OPEN ENDED RESPONSE- NUMERIC VALIDATION. (Sum of lines ‘a’ through ‘f’,
should also equal number provided in question 54)

Thank You!
Thank you for participating in this survey. BJS and RTI will be analyzing and
disseminating information on body-worn cameras in the coming months. If you
have any questions about this survey, please contact RTI Data Collection
Manager Alissa Chambers at 919-541-6340 or [email protected]. Information
on all of BJS’s law enforcement data collection and dissemination activities can
be found at www.bjs.gov.

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