Ordinance 2022-09
- Published: March 23, 2022
— Public Notice —
ADOPTING A BODY WORN CAMERA USE POLICY FOR THE VILLAGE OF YELLOW
SPRINGS POLICE DEPARTMENT
ORDINANCE 2022-09, VILLAGE OF YELLOW SPRINGS, OHIO
WHEREAS, Village of Yellow Springs Codified Ordinance Section 607.02(D)(1)(i) defines “wearable body cameras” as “surveillance technology” regulated within the Village; and
WHEREAS, implementation of body-worn cameras will provide the opportunity to review Village of Yellow Springs police officers’ actions and reactions in the field, helping to identify any needed changes in policy or training, will support taking disciplinary action for officer wrong-doings and will serve to enhance public trust and by adding another layer of transparency to police actions; and
WHEREAS, Village of Yellow Springs Codified Ordinance Section 607.04 requires Council, before approval of any request to fund, acquire or use surveillance technology, to determine that the benefits of the technology outweigh its costs, and that the proposal properly safeguards civil liberties, privacy rights, and civil rights, and that the proposed uses and deployments of the surveillance technology will not be based upon discriminatory or viewpoint-based factors or have a disparate impact on any community or group; and
WHEREAS, the Interim Chief of Police, Village Manager, and an ad hoc committee including individuals involved in the drafting of Chapter 607 evaluated the merits of body-worn cameras and worked together to present a proposal for a policy for the Yellow Springs Police Department based on state law considerations as well as the requirements of Chapter 607;
NOW THEREFORE IT BE ORDAINED, BY COUNCIL FOR THE VILLAGE OF YELLOW SPRINGS, OHIO THAT:
Section 1. If grant funded either in full or part, the benefits of a body-worn camera program outweigh the costs pursuant to Section 607.04 of the Village Codified Ordinances;
Section 2. The attached Exhibit A, which incorporates the Bodyworn Camera Policy into the YSPD Policy Manual as Policy 424 properly safeguards civil liberties, privacy rights, and civil rights, and assures that proposed uses and deployments of bodyworn cameras by the Yellow Springs Police Department will not be based upon discriminatory or viewpoint-based factors or have a disparate impact on any community or group.
Section 3. All formal actions pertaining to this Ordinance were conducted in in meetings open to the public in compliance with Section 121.22 of the Ohio Revised Code and Chapter 607 of the Village Codified Ordinances, including posting of the policy on the Village of Yellow Springs prior to the public hearing of this Ordinance, and the policy shall remain posted at the website for as long as the technology remains in use. .
Brian Housh, President of Council
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