Purpose

Video monitoring of public and work areas is intended to aid in protecting the safety and security of persons and property and deter crime, while maintaining the privacy of individuals to the extent practical.

Policy

It is the policy of Johnson County to integrate contemporary practices of safety and security with the use of security cameras and video monitoring technology. Components of a comprehensive security plan include the use of security cameras, video monitoring and recording equipment, and the rules and procedures associated with their use. Generally, live images from security cameras are not monitored in real time.

Scope

This policy is applicable to all offices and departments houses in Johnson County facilities. This policy does not include the use of security cameras and video monitoring technology located at the Jail, Sheriff's Office, Courthouse, or SEATS buses. This policy does not apply to law enforcement investigations.

Administrative Procedures

  1. Determination of security camera locations
    • The determination of the type, numbers and locations of security cameras in County facilities will be a collaborative effort between the Information Technology Director, the Facilities Manager, the Risk Management Coordinator and the Safety Committee. The Safety Committee will evaluate and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors regarding the locations of security cameras, the types of security cameras needed, and the systems used to monitor and store recorded video.
    • All security camera locations will be visible.
    • The use of a "dummy" or non-operational security cameras is not permitted.
    • Security cameras will not be placed in restrooms or locker rooms.
    • Security cameras will not record audio.
       
  2. Monitoring of security cameras
    • All monitoring and recording of activities, groups or individuals by security cameras will be conducted in a manner consistent with County policies, state and federal laws, and will not be based upon the subject's personal characteristics, including age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics.
    • Persons who have access to view security camera video footage must comply with this policy.
    • Only those persons authorized by this policy may review security camera video footage or view live images. Authorized persons include the following: County Auditor, County Attorney, Human Resources Director, Executive Director, Risk Management Coordinator, Facilities Managers, Sheriff and deputy sheriff.
    • The Facilities Manager should check the operation and video image produced of each security camera on a bi-weekly basis to ensure the proper function of the camera and monitoring equipment.
    • The Risk Management Coordinator, Executive Director, Facilities Manager, or a deputy sheriff assigned by the Sheriff, may view live images of specific security cameras for the purpose of monitoring the safety and security of public meetings/events while they are occurring.
    • The County Auditor may view live images from designated security cameras which are being used to monitor election equipment and ballots for a period of 35 days prior to an election through 10 days after an election.
    • The Information Technology Director, or designee, is responsible for providing access to monitor live images of security cameras, as directed by this policy.
       
  3. Placing and releasing a hold on recorded video footage
    • When an incident has occurred which indicated the need for the review of recorded security camera video, the department director/elected official responsible for that area may request that the Human Resources Director and Executive Director review recorded video of the incident.
    • The department director/elected official should promptly notify the Risk Management Coordinator when an incident has occurred which may result in a claim against the County and the incident may have been recorded on security camera video.
    • Upon review of recorded video footage, a hold may be authorized by the Human Resources Director and the Executive Director or the County Attorney.
    • Once a hold has been authorized, the recorded video footage should be exported and archived by the Information Technology Director, or designee.
    • Exported and archived video footage may be viewed by the elected official or department director which requested the review.
    • Deletion of previously exported and archive video footage, which is no longer needed, will be authorized by the Human Resources Director and the Executive Director or the County Attorney. The Information Technology Director, or designee, is responsible for deleting archived video footage, upon direction.
    • External requests for copies or access to recorded or archived video footage, including Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, law enforcement requests, and subpoenas, should be referred to the Board Office. The Board Office will consult with the County Attorney regarding these requests.
       
  4. Storage and retention of recorded video footage
    • The alteration of any part of any recorded video footage is prohibited. The duplication of recorded video footage is not allowed, other than described in this policy.
    • All recorded video footage will be stored in a secure network location for a period of 35 days. After 35 days, video recordings will be deleted or recorded over, except for those video files that have been exported and archived. Archived files will be deleted, as directed by the policy, when they are no longer needed for review or evidentiary purposes.
    • The County Auditor will designate specific security cameras for the monitoring of voting equipment and ballots during election periods. The election periods are defined as being 35 days prior to an election through 10 days after an election. The recorded video footage may be deleted or recorded over after 10 days following an election, except for those video files that have been exported and archived at the direction of the County Auditor. These archived files may be deleted upon direction of the County Auditor.
    • The Information Technology Director is responsible for complying with the requirements of this section of the policy.
       
  5. Appropriate use and confidentiality
    • All images or information acquired from security cameras are considered confidential and their dissemination is prohibited, except as directed by this policy.

Date approved: 06-21-18