Phase 2 Of Body Worn Camera Rollout In Fairfax Co. Completed

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Last week, the Fairfax County Police Department completed the second phase of the implementation of its Body Worn Camera program. Officers from the Franconia and McLean district stations are now trained in using the cameras, resulting in an additional 218 operators.

In the coming months, officers at the Fair Oaks, West Springfield, and Sully district stations will be trained to operate the cameras. Training will also be scheduled for FCPD's Animal Protection Police, MCRC-Diversion First, SOD-SWAT, and parking enforcement.

The county rolled out phase one of the program on May 1, 2020, which implemented cameras at three district stations: Reston, Mason, and Mount Vernon. However, the implementation of the cameras at the remaining stations in phase two (2021) and three (2022) was one of the items the Board cut from the budget last spring to offset the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

At its June 9, 2020 meeting, the Board voted unanimously to find funding to implement the remaining phases in FY 2021. Supervisors were motivated to take this step due to protests across the country calling for greater accountability and transparency of police departments.

FCPD's policy for when an officer must activate or deactivate a body worn camera is:

"All BWC equipped officers shall activate their BWC during their response to a scene or as soon as it is practical and safe to do so and leave it on for the duration of the incident."

The following incidents are when an officer must activate their BWC:

• Upon arrival at any call for service
• Traffic or subject stop
• Self-initiated event involving a rendering of public service or law enforcement activity
• Searches of persons, buildings, or vehicles
• Searches for suspect who has fled a scene
• Collection of physical evidence for a crime
• Transportation of any person in custody.

Due to privacy concerns, officers are required to turn off their body worn camera in some locations, including medical or mental health facilities, courthouses, or on school grounds.

Officers are also required to turn off their cameras when there is an expectation of privacy, such as a service call at a home, when taking detailed victim statements, or when a community member reports a crime.

Also see ...

• Police Worn Cameras May Be Coming Soon To All Fairfax County
• Fairfax Supervisors Prioritize Funding For Police Worn Cameras
• Body-Worn Police Cameras Debut May 1 In Fairfax County