A. Policy

The Lakewood Police Department recognizes the value of utilizing technology as an important law enforcement and public safety tool. The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance for the Lakewood Police Department in the responsible and effective use of overt cameras in public areas for the purpose of safety and security. This program is established as the ARGUS Program.

The ARGUS crime prevention and detection strategy includes the use of video surveillance to target public areas for the purpose of deterring, preventing and investigating crimes against persons and property. Additionally, this system can alert law enforcement to dangerous situations and crimes that otherwise may go unreported or undetected.

B. Procedure

1. The Lakewood Police Department restricts the use of ARGUS cameras to public places in a manner consistent with the privacy rights of citizens. Public place means a place to which the public or a substantial number of the public has access , and includes but is not limited to highways, transportation facilities, schools, places of amusement, parks, playgrounds, and the common areas of public and private buildings and facilities.

2. Except in situations involving the investigation of a crime committed by a person(s) whose description is known, ARGUS camera use must not be based on individual characteristics, or classifications, including race, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability.

3. The principle objectives of the ARGUS Project include:

a. Enhancing public safety in areas where the safety and security of our citizens may be at risk;

b. Preventing and deterring crime;

c. Reducing the fear of crime;

d. Identifying criminal activity;

e. Identifying suspects;

f. Gathering evidence;

g. Documenting police actions to safeguard citizen and police officer rights; and

h. Improving the allocation and deployment of law enforcement resources.

4. Personnel involved in ARGUS Program use will be appropriately trained and supervised in the use of this technology.

5. Information obtained from ARGUS use will be used exclusively for public safety and law enforcement purposes. Information in any form obtained through the use of ARGUS Project technology will be handled according to accepted departmental procedures and legal rules governing the handling of evidence and criminal justice records. Dissemination of such information should be conducted in accordance with applicable departmental procedures, State, and Federal laws.

6. The following forms will be used and are available electronically through the LPD Intranet:

a. ARGUS Video Search/ Retrieval Request Form

b. ARGUS Camera Removal/ Relocation Request Form

7. Lakewood IT must approve the removal / relocation of any camera. This includes any requests for additional cameras. Police contact with Lakewood IT will primarily be via the ARGUS Program Coordinator.

8. ARGUS Camera Placement Criteria:

a. The needs evaluation may include the evaluation of criminal justice records, public information, crime data, agent observations, community input and concerns, risk assessments, and other relevant data.

9. Duties and Responsibilities:

a. The Investigation Division Property Section Commander will serve as the ARGUS Program Coordinator. The Argus Program Coordinator will:

1) Review all requests for the placement/relocation of ARGUS cameras and consult with the appropriate Patrol Sector Commander prior to implementing the request.

2) Conduct periodic reviews to evaluate the effectiveness and continued need of ARGUS camera placement in the deployed locations.

3) Coordinate requests or inquiries made by outside agencies involving ARGUS cameras.

4) Ensure that ARGUS cameras are used for law enforcement or public safety purposes consistent with this policy.

5) Direct technical support activities for fixed and mobile ARGUS cameras including installation, removal, relocation, and maintenance.

6) Manage the inventory and storage of equipment.

7) Manage improvements and repairs of the ARGUS Program.

8) Monitor all technical functions related to the operation of the ARGUS Program.

9) Coordinate with the affected Patrol Sector Commander, prior to any removal of an ARGUS camera due to maintenance, repair, or relocation.

10) Be responsible for the appropriate training of all employees who have command and control access to the ARGUS system.

10. Only trained and authorized personnel may operate the Argus equipment.

11. When assigned to monitor an ARGUS camera, use all equipment in accordance with their training and department policy.

12. The ARGUS Command and Control Center personnel will:

a. Conduct ARGUS camera monitoring from the ARGUS Command and Control Center, or other designated areas.

b. Self-Dispatch observations on the appropriate communications channel.

c. Utilize priority in camera monitoring when cases involving officer safety, in-progress crimes, calls for service, events, or public emergencies.

d. Maintain activity log relative to ARGUS assistance provided.

13. ARGUS Placement:

a. ARGUS cameras will be placed in locations pursuant to approval by the ARGUS Program Coordinator after consultation and notification of the IT Department.

b. Approved signage may be posted upon installation of the camera in a prominent manner.

14. ARGUS Video Search/Retrieval Request Process:

a. Retrieval of the recorded video images from ARGUS camera(s) for investigative or prosecution purposes will occur as delineated in this procedure.

b. Unless retrieved consistent with this procedure, video images captured by the ARGUS camera will be removed, destroyed or overwritten after a 30-day period.

c. Requests for the retrieval of video images recorded by ARGUS camera will be initiated by a supervisor who will:

1) Complete and submit an ARGUS Video Search/Retrieval Request Form.

2) Submit the form to the ARGUS Program Coordinator or their designee for review.

d. In situations in which the urgent retrieval of video images is necessary the Sector Commander in the area of occurrence or a member of the Investigation Division responsible for the investigation will contact Communications for a list of personnel authorized and trained to retrieve ARGUS images.

e. Requests for the retrieval of video images should be made as soon as practical to prevent overwriting of the images.

15. Video Storage of Retrieved Images:

a. Once a request for video image retrieval is approved, the appropriate number of copies will be made and booked in adherence to LPD Policy and Procedure for Conventional and Electronic Image Recording Media (Policy Procedure PP-4731 ).

b. All video image requests must be approved prior to the actual retrieval.

16. The ARGUS Program, with the approval of the Chief of Police, may partner with other public and private institutions and entities in the sharing of camera images with the Lakewood Police Department. For example, the Program has the ability to allow access to cameras owned and operated by the Regional Transportation District, Lakewood Public Schools, Colorado Department of Transportation and Lakewood Department of Public Works Traffic Operations. The monitoring of privately owned cameras on the ARGUS network will only occur under a written agreement between the City and the private owner. The Lakewood Police will not allow access to the ARGUS network to any non-governmental agency nor to any governmental agency that is not directly involved in providing public safety services. Direct access to the ARGUS network must be requested in writing and approved by the Chief of Police.

PP-8250 - Burglary Team

	Lakewood Police Department Policy and Procedure Use of Argus (Video Surveillance System)		Effective Date: 10/24/2014
	Policy Number: PP-8243