INTRADEPARTMENTAL CORRESPONDENCE

January 20, 201214.1

TO: The Honorable Board of Police Commissioners

FROM: Chief of Police

SUBJECT: DIGITAL IN-CAR VIDEO SYSTEM INSPECTION (IAID NO. 11-120)

RECOMMENDED ACTIONS

1. That the Board of Police Commissioners REVIEW and APPROVE the attached Digital In-Car Video System Inspection.

2. That the Board of Police Commissioners REVIEW and APPROVE the attached ExecutiveSummary thereto.

DISCUSSION

Pursuant to the Los Angeles Police Department's Audit and Inspection Plan for Fiscal Year2011/12, Internal Audits and Inspections Division completed the inspection to assess theutilization and monitoring of the Digital In-Car Video System within Operations-South Bureau.

If you have any questions, please contact Gerald L. Chaleff, Special Assistant forConstitutional Policing, at (213) 486-8730.

Respectfully,

CHARLIE BECKChief of Police

Attachments

LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT

DIGITAL 1N-CAR VIDEO SYSTEMINSPECTION

(IAID NO. 11-120)

Conducted by

INTERNAL AUDITS & INSPECTIONS DIVISION

Fiscal Year 2011/12

EXECUTIVE SUMMARYDIGITAL IN-CAR VIDEO SYSTEM INSPECTION

Conducted by Internal Audits and Inspections DivisionSecond Quarter, Fiscal Year 2011/12

PURPOSE

Pursuant to the Los Angeles Police Department's (LAPD or Department) Audit and InspectionPlan for Fiscal Year 2011/12, Internal Audits and Inspections Division (IAID) completed aninspection of the utilization and monitoring of the Digital In-Car Video System (DICVS) byAreas/divisions within Operations-South Bureau (OSB).

INSPECTION SCOPE

Internal Audits and Inspections Division selected July 18, 2011 as the date for the Daily FieldActivities Report (DFAR) review and randomly selected one watch, including any GangEnforcement Details deployed on the sampled day or the next closest deployment date, toevaluate the usage of DICVS at each Area/division. For the sampled dates and watches, 41DFARs indicated that the deployed officers were involved in one or more incidents that appearedto require the activation of DICVS (i.e., vehicle stops, Code-3 responses/pursuits, and suspecttransports). Therefore, IAID randomly selected a sample of 43 activities (i.e., vehicle stops,Code-3 responses, and suspect transports) from the DFARs to ensure that DICVS was activatedto record activities required by Department policy. Additionally, IAID selected a separatesample of 22 pedestrian stop activities from the 41 DFARs to assess the frequency that thepedestrian stops had an associated video. As a result, a total of 61 videos were reviewed.

SUMMARY OF RESULTS

The table below delineates the inspection objectives and results.

SUMMARY OF RESULTS TABLE

ObjectivesNumbers

Meeting theStandards

PercentageMeeting theStandards

1Timely Training Provided and Records ProperlyMaintained

19/24 79%

2Activation of DICVS as Required for Vehicle Stops,Code-3 Responses, and Suspect Transports

42/43 98%

3 Video Completeness 58/61 95%

4 Synchronization of Wireless Microphones 56/61 92%5 Documentation of DICVS Condition on the DFAR 39/41 95%

The results of the inspection indicate that the Department achieved the 95% standard in three ofthe five objectives. Regarding the activation of DICVS as required, this inspection found asignificant improvement since the last audit of this area. Specifically, the activation of DICVSas required increased from 81% to the current 98%.

Digital In-Car Video System (DICVS) InspectionExecutive SummaryPage ii of ii

The two objectives that fell below 95% were as follows:

• Objective No. 1 — Timely Training Provided and Records Properly Maintained. Fiveofficers who transferred into Harbor Area were not provided training on DICVS in a timelymanner. After bringing this issue to the DICVS coordinator, the five officers were trainedand the training was properly documented. Although the officers had not received theDepartment approved training prior to being assigned to field duties, per OSB, each officerwas informally trained prior to being assigned to field duties by their partner officer that hadalready received the Department approved training. As a result of this inspection, OSB hasgenerated a project to verify all Areas/divisions within OSB are currently in compliance withthis objective.

• Objective No. 4 — Synchronization of Wireless Microphones. Although the inspectionfound that 92% of the videos had microphones that were properly synchronized, thisrepresented an improvement from the prior audit that found only 80% of the videos hadmicrophones that were properly synchronized.

Overall, based on the results of this inspection, it appears that the enhanced monitoring byDICVS coordinators has resulted in significant improvements with the activation of DICVS(when required) and the synchronization of microphones. However, there is still room forimprovement in these and other areas, including the tracking of failures by DICVS coordinatorsas discussed on Page No. 9 of the inspection report. Where appropriate, IAID also includedinformation within the inspection report on best practices identified as being utilized by certainArea/division DICVS coordinators that could be used by all Areas/divisions within OSB.

MANAGEMENT'S RESPONSE

On December 6, 2011, IAID met and discussed the results of the review with the AssistantCommanding Officer of OSB who expressed general agreement with the inspection report. OnDecember 13, 2011, OSB provided additional written responses and a series of action plans toaddress the inspection findings. This included providing additional training to applicablepersonnel, the creation of a training video and the implementation of best practices identified byIAID to ensure that all personnel within OSB understand and adhere to the established protocols.Internal Audits and Inspections Division incorporated OSB's responses and action plans in theinspection report where appropriate. Refer to the "Operations-South Bureau's Response andAction Plan" sections for additional details.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DIGITAL 1N-CAR VIDEO SYSTEM INSPECTION

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PAGE

i

PURPOSE 1

BACKGROUND 1

INSPECTION SCOPE 1

MANAGEMENT'S RESPONSE 2

SUMMARY OF RESULTS 2

DETAILED FINDINGS 3

OBJECTIVE NO. 1- TIMELY TRAINING PROVIDED AND RECORDSPROPERLY MAINTAINED

3

OBJECTIVE NO. 2 - ACTIVATION OF DICVS AS REQUIRED FOR VEHICLESTOPS, CODE-3 RESPONSES AND SUSPECTTRANSPORTS

4

OBJECTIVE NO. 3 - VIDEO COMPLETENESS 5

OBJECTIVE NO. 4 - SYNCHRONIZATION OF WIRELESS MICROPHONES 6

OBJECTIVE NO. 5 - DOCUMENTATION OF DICVS CONDITION ON THEDFAR

7

OTHER RELATED MATTERS 8

ARRESTEE SECURED BY SEATBELT 8

CLARIFICATION OF SUSPECT TRANSPORT 8

DOCUMENTATION OF DOWNLOADING VIDEOS 8

WEEKLY REVIEWS 9

ACTIONS TAKEN TO ADDRESS "FAILURES" IDENTIFIED BY DICVSCOORDINATORS

9

RECOMMENDATION 10 ,

DIGITAL IN-CAR VIDEO SYSTEM INSPECTIONConducted by Internal Audits and Inspections Division

Second Quarter, Fiscal Year 2011/12

PURPOSE

Pursuant to the Los Angeles Police Department's (LAPD or Department) Audit and InspectionPlan for Fiscal Year 2011/12, Internal Audits and Inspections Division (IAID) completed aninspection of the utilization and monitoring of the Digital In-Car Video System (DICVS) byAreas/divisions within Operations-South Bureau (OSB).'

BACKGROUND

In June 2011, IAID issued the Department's first DICVS audit which mainly assessed whetherthe Department's newly deployed DICVS was properly designed, installed, and operated inaccordance with Department policy. That audit generally indicated that DICVS had beenproperly installed, was in good working order, and DICVS videos were complete and of goodquality. However, the areas of activation of DICVS and the synchronization of wirelessmicrophones appeared to require enhanced monitoring. In March 2011, prior to the completionof that audit, OSB issued Bureau Order No. 1 which provided more specific guidance for DICVSoperation and monitoring. 2 The order required each geographic Area/division to monitor DICVSutilization and ensure officers were properly trained to utilize DICVS.

Internal Audits and Inspections Division conducted this inspection, in part, to assess whetherthere have been improvements in the usage of DICVS since OSB enhanced its monitoring of thisarea.

INSPECTION SCOPE

Internal Audits and Inspections Division selected July 18, 2011 as the date for the Daily FieldActivities Report (DFAR) review and randomly selected one watch, including any GangEnforcement Details deployed on the sampled day or the next closest deployment date, toevaluate the usage of DICVS at each Area/division. For the sampled dates and watches, 41DFARs indicated that the deployed officers were involved in one or more incidents that appearedto require the activation of DICVS (i.e., vehicle stops, Code-3 responses/pursuits, and suspecttransports). 3 Therefore, IAID randomly selected a sample of 43 activities (i.e., vehicle stops,Code-3 responses, and suspect transports) from the DFARs to ensure that DICVS was activatedto record activities required by Department policy. Additionally, IAID selected a separatesample of 22 pedestrian stop activities from the 41 DFARs to assess the frequency that thepedestrian stops had an associated video. As a result, a total of 61 videos were reviewed.

Southwest Area, Harbor Area, 77 th Street Area, Southeast Area, South Traffic Division, and Criminal Gang andHomicide Division at OSB were included in the inspection.

2 At the time the audit sample was selected, the Bureau Order had been in its draft format.3 Two DFARs were not located by South Traffic Division; therefore, IAID randomly selected one video for each of

the applicable vehicles to ensure they were assessed as part of the inspection.

Digital In-Car Video System (DICVS) InspectionPage 2 of 10

MANAGEMENT'S RESPONSE

On December 6, 2011, IAID met and discussed the results of the review with the AssistantCommanding Officer of OSB who expressed general agreement with the inspection report.On December 13, 2011, OSB provided additional written responses and a series of action plansto address the inspection findings. This included providing additional training to applicablepersonnel, the creation of a training video and the implementation of best practices identified byIAID to ensure that all personnel within OSB understand and adhere to the established protocols.Internal Audits and Inspections Division incorporated OSB's responses and action plans in thereport where appropriate. Refer to the "Operations-South Bureau's Response and Action Plan"sections for further details.

SUMMARY OF RESULTS

The table below delineates the inspection objectives and results.

SUMMARY OF RESULTS TABLE

ObjectivesNumbers

Meeting theStandards

PercentageMeeting theStandards

1Timely Training Provided and Records ProperlyMaintained

19/24 79%

2Activation of DICVS as Required for Vehicle Stops,Code-3 Responses, and Suspect Transports

42/43 98%

3 Video Completeness 58/61 95%

4 Synchronization of Wireless Microphones 56/61 92%5 Documentation of DICVS Condition on the DFAR 39/41 95%

The results of the inspection indicate that the Department achieved the 95% standard in three ofthe five objectives. Regarding the activation of DICVS as required, this inspection found asignificant improvement since the last audit of this area. Specifically, the activation of DICVSas required increased from 81% to the current 98%.

The two objectives that fell below 95% were as follows:

• Objective No. 1 — Timely Training Provided and Records Properly Maintained. Fiveofficers who transferred into Harbor Area were not provided training on DICVS in a timelymanner. After bringing this issue to the DICVS coordinator, the five officers were trainedand the training was properly documented. Although the officers had not received theDepartment approved training prior to being assigned to field duties, per OSB, each officerwas informally trained prior to being assigned to field duties by their partner officer that hadalready received the Department approved training. As a result of this inspection, OSB hasgenerated a project to verify all Areas/divisions within OSB are currently in compliance withthis objective.

Digital In-Car Video System (DICVS) InspectionPage 3 of 10

• Objective No. 4 — Synchronization of Wireless Microphones. Although the inspectionfound that 92% of the videos had microphones that were properly synchronized, thisrepresented an improvement from the prior audit that found only 80% of the videos hadmicrophones that were properly synchronized.

Overall, based on the results of this inspection, it appears that the enhanced monitoring byDICVS coordinators has resulted in significant improvements with the activation of DICVS(when required) and the synchronization of microphones. However, there is still room forimprovement in these and other areas, including the tracking of failures by DICVS coordinators •as discussed on page 9 of this inspection. Where appropriate, IAID also included information onbest practices identified as being utilized by certain Area/division DICVS coordinators that couldbe used by all Areas/divisions within OSB.

DETAILED FINDINGS

Objective No. 1 — Timely Training Provided and Records Properly Maintained

Criteria

The OSB Order No. 1, dated March 15, 2011, requires that officers assigned to field duties,driving Department vehicles, equipped with DICVS, shall be assigned non-field assignmentsuntil they have been fully trained on DICVS. It further requires training coordinators to maintaina file for all employees within their Area/division who have received training on DICVS.4

Inspection Procedures

Internal Audits and Inspections Division assessed whether 24 officers who transferred into eachof the applicable geographic Areas/divisions in Deployment Period (DP) No. 8 (July 17 throughAugust 13, 2011) received timely instruction and training on DICVS prior to being assigned tofield duty. 5 Additionally, IAID assessed whether the associated training information wasproperly maintained at the applicable Areas/divisions.

Overall Results

Nineteen (79%) of the 24 newly assigned officers received formal DICVS training in a timelymanner as they transferred to each Area/division and the related training records were properlymaintained. The remaining five officers who transferred into Harbor Area did not receive formaltraining prior to being assigned field duties. After IAID notified the training coordinator atHarbor Area of this issue, by October 20, 2011, training was provided to the five officers.

The OSB Order No. 1 also requires training coordinators to document all training provided on DICVS in theLearning Management System (LMS). During this inspection, IAID noted that some training coordinators wereunable to fulfill this requirement due to the unavailability of LMS.

5 Four additional transferring officers were found to have received DICVS training during their prior assignmentwithin OSB. Therefore, they were not included in this assessment.

Digital In-Car Video System (DICVS) InspectionPage 4 of 10

Operations-South Bureau's Response and Action Plan

Though not fully trained, prior to being assigned to field duties, each officer identified above wasinformally trained by their partners who had already received the Department approved DICVStraining.

Operations-South Bureau generated a project to verify that all Areas/divisions within OSB arecurrently in compliance with this objective. Furthermore, OSB is investigating the feasibility ofentering training records into the Learning Management System (LMS) upon completion.

Objective No. 2 — Activation of DICVS as Required for Vehicle Stops, Code-3 Responses,and Suspect Transports

Criteria

Department Manual Section 3/579.13 requires officers to activate DICVS during the initiation ofall vehicle stops, Code-3 responses/pursuits, and suspect transports.

Inspection Procedures

Internal Audits and Inspections Division reviewed 43 activities involving vehicle stops, Code-3responses, and suspect transports. For each activity, if a corresponding video was located for theincident, it met the standards for this objective.

Overall Results

Forty-two (98%) of the 43 activities had an associated video. The remaining activity fromSouthwest Area that should have had a related DICVS video was for a Code-3 response.Although the Southwest Area DICVS coordinators reviewed the associated DFAR during theirweekly review, they did not identify this finding.

Operations-South Bureau's Response and Action Plan

This finding will be discussed with the applicable DICVS training coordinator to ensure this typeof finding is not missed in future weekly reviews.

Other Related Matter - Activation of DICVS for Pedestrian Stop When "Practical"

Department Manual Section 3/579.13 requires officers to activate DICVS during the initiation ofall pedestrian stops (when practical), and other occasions, when, in the officer's judgment, itwould be beneficial to do so. Therefore, to assess this area, IAID randomly selected 22pedestrian stop activities from the 41 DFARs to assess the frequency that the pedestrian stopshad an associated video. Of the 22 pedestrian stop activities, 19 (86%) had an associated video.For the remaining three activities, DICVS coordinators at Southeast Area and Criminal Gang andHomicide Division each identified one pedestrian stop as a failure and trained the officers toactivate the system when practicable. However, the third pedestrian stop was not identified as afailure by the DICVS coordinator at 77th Street Area. Consequently, the associated officers didnot receive any training. Since officers are not required to document on the DFAR the reason

Digital In-Car Video System (DICVS) InspectionPage 5 of 10

why activation was not practicable, IAID was unable to determine whether it was practicable forofficers to activate DICVS for this activity.

Operations-South Bureau's Response and Action Plan

A revised version of the OSB Bureau Order No. 1 is being drafted with the intent of providingadditional guidance on the activation of DICVS during pedestrian stops. Additionally, a trainingvideo has been created, which is a supplement to the formal training each officer receives.Included in the video will be instructions on when to activate DICVS and what to do if thesystem cannot be activated due to "exigent circumstances."

Objective No. 3 — Video Completeness

Criteria

Complete visual records from vehicle stops, Code-3 responses/pursuits, suspect transports,and/or other occasions can enhance criminal prosecution, increase public confidence, limit policeliability, and provide additional evidence to review during the investigation of personnelcomplaints.

Inspection Procedures

Internal Audits and Inspections Division reviewed all 61 videos (42 from the vehicle stops,Code-3 responses and suspect transports plus 19 from the pedestrian stops) identified inObjective No. 2 to evaluate the completeness of each video. If the video indicated that the frontcamera remained activated until the entire incident or field contact stabilized or the contact hadended and the rear camera remained activated until the officers arrived at the police station, itmet the standards for this objective. Due to the post-incident buffer recording incorporated intoDICVS, when an officer deactivates the system, DICVS will record an extra minute of videowithout audio.

Overall Results

Fifty-eight (95%) of the 61 videos met the standards for this objective. 6 The remaining threevideos captured by officers assigned to 77th Street Area, Southeast Area and South TrafficDivision ended prematurely without any explanation. None of these findings were identified bythe applicable DICVS coordinators during their review.

It should also be noted that two of the 58 videos considered complete by IAID ended prior to thesuspect exiting the police vehicle. However, it appeared that the officers turned off DICVSwhile driving through a police station parking lot. Internal Audits and Inspections Divisionnoted that some officers were using the post-incident buffer feature during transports, whichallowed the suspect to exit the police vehicle before the video ended. If such function is utilizedgoing forward, officers need to ensure that the video captures the suspect exiting the policevehicle.

6 For two pedestrian stop videos, the event logs indicated the front camera was activated at the end of the incident,after the contact was over. As mentioned above, officers do not need to document the reason why the activationwas not practicable, as such; IAID did not consider these videos incomplete.

Digital In-Car Video System (DICVS) InspectionPage 6 of 10

Operations-South Bureau's Response and Action Plan

All DICVS coordinators within OSB will be re-trained on the importance of checking for videocompleteness during their weekly reviews to ensure this issue is rectified going forward.Additionally, unified protocols will be created to detail when officers shall activate or deactivatethe system during suspect transports, which will ensure the video captures all suspects enteringand exiting the police vehicle.

Objective No. 4 — Synchronization of Wireless Microphones

Criteria

The OSB Order No. 1 requires officers to activate each microphone separately before startingtheir shift and verify the condition of the microphones.

One or two wireless microphones must be synchronized to the vehicle by the officers at the startof their watch. Proper synchronization of wireless microphones will help ensure the videos haveproper audio coverage. The wireless microphones also allow officers to activate the frontcamera remotely from outside the vehicle.

Inspection Procedures

Internal Audits and Inspections Division reviewed DICVS event logs for the 61 videos (42 fromthe vehicle stops, Code-3 responses and suspect transports plus 19 from the pedestrian stops) todetermine if the microphones were synchronized with each patrol vehicle. If the event logindicated the microphones were synchronized, it met the standards for this objective.7

Overall Results

Fifty-six (92%) of the 61 videos indicated that the microphones were properly synchronized withthe patrol vehicles' DICVS. For the remaining five videos that were generated by officersassigned to 77 th Street Area (1), Southeast Area (2), South Traffic Division (1) and, CriminalGang and Homicide Division (1), at least one microphone was not synchronized. None of thesefindings were identified by the applicable DICVS coordinators during their review.

Operations-South Bureau's Response and Action Plan

This area will be addressed in the training video previously mentioned in Objective No. 2 toensure that all personnel within OSB understand and adhere to the established protocols.Additionally, all DICVS coordinators, as well as the training coordinators within OSB, will bere-trained on this subject to ensure this issue is rectified going forward.

Other Related Matter — Audible Audio

Complete and audible audio is just as important as the video quality. Of the 61 videos, 57 (93%)had a clear associated audio. The remaining four videos that were generated from Southwest

7 If there was only one officer involved, only one wireless microphone was required to be synchronized.

Digital In-Car Video System (DICVS) InspectionPage 7 of 10

Area (1), South Traffic Division (2), and Criminal Gang and Homicide Division (1) had periodswhen the audio contained no audio, experienced static, or lacked clarity even though officersappeared to be in close range of the patrol vehicle.' This issue appeared to be related to themalfunction of the wireless microphones and not the action of any officer. Therefore, it isincumbent upon Area/division DICVS coordinators to monitor this concern, identifymalfunctioning wireless microphones, and have them replaced in a timely manner 9

Best Practices

Internal Audits and Inspections Division noted that unlike other Area/division DICVScoordinators who used the Daily Work Sheet to track DICVS equipped vehicles deployed on adaily basis, the 77' Street Area coordinator used the Vehicle Equipment and Assignment Reportwhich included the wireless microphone identification numbers. As a best practice, the use ofthe Vehicle Equipment and Assignment Report would make it easier for Areas/divisions toidentify and track malfunctioning wireless microphones and DICVS equipped vehicles.

Additionally, as a result of IAID's inspection, Southwest Area created separate files to trackissues related to malfunctioning wireless microphones and other system-related issues, whichalso appears to be a best practice.

Operations-South Bureau's Response and Action Plan

The identified best practices will be assessed and if feasible, will be implemented throughoutOSB going forward.

Objective No. 5— Documentation of DICVS Condition on the DFAR

Criteria

The OSB Order No. 1 requires officers to inspect DICVS equipment at the beginning and end ofeach shift and document the condition of DICVS on the first line of their DFAR.

Inspection Procedures

Internal Audits and Inspections Division reviewed the 41 DFARs to determine if the condition ofDICVS was documented on the DFAR at the start of watch. If the DFAR indicated that theDICVS condition was checked and documented at the start of watch, it met the standards for thisobjective.

' During a Southwest Area pedestrian stop incident, the wireless microphones were synchronized; however, theywere not recording any audio and the associated video had no audio.

9 It was brought to IAID's attention that the network infrastructure at South Traffic Division did not always allowthem to listen to the audio from each DICVS video as the audio was very choppy. Since the facility where SouthTraffic Division resides is not a City facility, there is no dedicated line to transfer data there from the server. PerOSB, due to the substandard connection at South Traffic Division, the DICVS coordinator has been instructed toreview the video recordings at Southwest Area going forward.

Digital In-Car Video System (DICVS) InspectionPage 8 of 10

Overall Results

Thirty-nine (95%) of the 41 DFARs indicated that the condition of DICVS was documented atthe start of watch. The remaining two DFARs, one from 77 th Street Area and one from SoutheastArea, revealed that the condition of DICVS was not documented at the start of watch.

Operations-South Bureau's Response and Action Plan

All DICVS coordinators within OSB will be re-trained on this subject and officers within OSBwill be reminded of this requirement to rectify this issue going forward.

OTHER RELATED MATTERS

Arrestee Secured by Seatbelt

Department Manual Section 4/217.50 requires that all arrestees transported in any Departmentvehicle, regardless of age or gender, shall be secured by a three-point or two-point safety belt.Internal Audits and Inspections Division reviewed the 11 videos that involved suspect transportsand found that 10 (91%) of the videos indicated that the suspect was wearing a seatbelt. Theremaining video generated from officers assigned to Criminal Gang and Homicide Divisionindicated that the suspect was not wearing a seatbelt. However, the Division's DICVScoordinator appropriately identified the issue prior to this inspection and logged it on the FailureSheet. According to this coordinator, the concern was verbally communicated to the associatedofficers.

Operations-South Bureau's Response and Action Plan

Operations-South Bureau will add additional verbiage to OSB Order No. 1 stating each AreaDICVS coordinator shall notify the watch commander/supervisor of all arrestee transports thatdo not comply with Department Manual Section 4/217.50.

Clarification of Suspect Transport

For transport videos, Special Order No. 45, 2009 requires officers to activate the DICVS duringall suspect transports but it does not address the use of DICVS for victim and witness transports.During the review of transport videos, IAID noted that it appears officers are also activatingDICVS for rear passenger victim and witness transports. However, the current policy does notprovide clear guidance on whether to activate DICVS during transports of rear passengers otherthan suspects. Since there are potential liability concerns with any type of transport (e.g.,suspect, witness or victim transports), it appears that the Department should provide clarificationin this area.

Documentation of Downloading Videos

The OSB Order No. 1 requires that officers assigned to South Traffic Division shall respond to aneighboring geographic Area to ensure timely transfer and storage of the captured videorecordings and document on their DFARs that DICVS videos are downloaded at the end of theirwatch. During this inspection, IAID reviewed the sampled DFARs from South Traffic Division

Digital In-Car Video System (DICVS) InspectionPage 9 of 10

to determine whether officers documented the timely downloading of DICVS video recordingsand found each (100%) of the three DFARs from South Traffic Division indicated that officersdownloaded videos at the neighboring geographic Area at the end of watch. As previouslymentioned, South Traffic Division was not able to locate two sampled DFARs. Therefore, IAIDwas unable to determine whether or not they met the standards of this objective.

Best Practice

Though not required, IAID noted that officers from Southwest Area documented on their DFARsthat the DICVS video recordings were downloaded at the end of their watch. Currently, thispractice is only occurring at Southwest Area and South Traffic Division; however, this isconsidered a best practice that could be incorporated by other Areas/divisions.

Operations-South Bureau's Response and Action Plan

The identified best practice will be implemented throughout OSB going forward.

Weekly Reviews

The OSB Order No. 1 requires Area/division DICVS coordinators to assess officer compliancewith DICVS policies and procedures for a minimum of four days per week for a total of 16 dayseach DP.

During the inspection, IAID noted that 77th Street Area tracked their reviews by the date thecoordinator conducted the review of DICVS activities. Other Areas/divisions utilized the datethe DICVS activities took place to track the activities reviewed which provides for a bettertracking system and documentation trail. Additionally, it was noted that Southwest Area andHarbor Area coordinators only reviewed and reported activities recorded from Monday throughThursday due to their schedule conflicts with OSB's submission dates, while other geographicAreas/divisions covered seven days a week or rotated between the days.'

Operations-South Bureau's Response and Action Plan

The DICVS coordinator at 77th Street Area has been instructed to utilize the date DICVSactivities took place to track the weekly reviews. Additionally, the DICVS coordinators atSouthwest and Harbor Areas are now rotating between days and watches to monitor overallDICVS operation without excluding certain days and watches in their review.

Actions Taken to Address "Failures" Identified By DICVS Coordinators

The OSB Order No. 1 delineates the Area DICVS coordinators shall: 1) provide verbal andwritten feedback to those officers who fail an inspection; 2) failures requiring investigationbeyond the scope of a coordinator's ability shall be forwarded to the Watch Commander or theOfficer-In-Charge of the involved unit or watch; and, 3) track it as a project.

10 The Criminal Gang and Homicide Division began to deploy patrol vehicles equipped with DICVS in DP No. 3(February 27 — March 26), 2011. At the time of this inspection, the DICVS coordinator was only reviewing oneday a week due to the DICVS coordinator's multiple concurrent assignments.

Digital In-Car Video System (DICVS) InspectionPage 10 of 10

Watch Commanders shall: 1) review any failures of the DICVS with the involved officers;2) forward a project to the proper "Den Sergeant" for completion; and, 3) ensure allinvestigations have been completed and returned to the Project Coordinator within 14 calendardays for review by their Commanding Officer.11

During the inspection, IAID reviewed seven failures that were identified by the Area/divisionDICVS coordinators to determine if the failures were properly tracked and whether properactions were taken to address the failures. To effectively track all the failures, OSB designed aFailure Sheet for the Area/division to log all failures and corrective actions taken. It wasdetermined that four (57%) of the seven failures were tracked on the Failure Sheet by theapplicable Area/division. The remaining three failures from 77 th Street Area were not tracked onthe Failure Sheet. Although the DICVS coordinator indicated that the involved officers wereverbally notified, there was no written feedback as required by OSB Order No. 1.12

Internal Audits and Inspections Division also noted that as of September 2011, unlike otherAreas, South Traffic Division had not submitted any failures on their reports to OSB despiteseveral failures that were identified by the DICVS coordinator. However, the DICVScoordinator indicated that the failures were addressed informally with the involved officers.As a result, no failures had been tracked by South Traffic Division.

Best practice

During the inspection, IAID noted that Southwest Area, Harbor Area, and Southeast Area werecreating a DICVS Project Closure Report for each failure, including failures involving pedestrianstop activation. These DICVS project closure reports included reviews that were conducted bythe Chain of Command of the involved officers. This appears to be a best practice that couldalso be used by other Area/division DICVS coordinators.

Operations-South Bureau's Response and Action Plan

The above best practice will be implemented by OSB as a standard protocol for allAreas/divisions. Furthermore, OSB has requested South Traffic Division to document allfailures and report them to OSB in order to be consistent with all other Areas. Beginning DPNo. 11 (Oct. 9 through Nov. 5, 2011), South Traffic Division has been reporting the failures theyidentified to OSB.

RECOMMENDATION

1. It is recommended that the Department clarify whether DICVS is required to be activatedfor witness and victim rear passenger transports.

11 Field supervisors are also required to complete and return all assigned projects to the Project Coordinator within14 calendar days.

12 The failures involved two videos in which one wireless microphone was not synchronized and one traffic stop inwhich DICVS was not activated as required.