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CITY ATTORNEY <br />Sonia R. Carvalho <br />CITY MANAGER <br />Alvaro Nuñez <br />CITY CLERK <br />Jennifer L. Hall <br />20 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA - P.O. BOX 1988, M31 - SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA 92702 <br />TELEPHONE (714) 647-6900 - FAX (714) 647-6954 - www.santa-ana.org <br />Councilmember-Requested Item Report <br />DATE <br />September 16, 2025 <br />TOPIC <br />SAPD In-Car Video Recording Policy with Automatic Activation for Pursuits and <br />Emergency Responses <br /> COUNCILMEMBER-REQUESTED ITEM TITLE <br />Discuss and Consider Providing Direction to the City Manager to Develop and <br />Implement a Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) Policy Requiring the Installation and <br />Use of In-Car Video Recording Systems in all Patrol Vehicles, with Automatic Activation <br />during Vehicular Pursuits, Code-3 Responses, and Other Critical Enforcement <br />Activities, and to Return to the City Council within 90 Days with a Final Policy and <br />Implementation Plan <br /> <br />DISCUSSION <br />Background <br />The Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) currently deploys body-worn cameras <br />(BWCs) for sworn personnel. However, certain incidents, particularly high-speed <br />pursuits or other emergency responses, are not always fully captured by BWCs. <br />In-car video systems (sometimes referred to as dash cams) offer a wider field of view, <br />automatically record vehicle movement and officer actions, and provide critical evidence <br />for both criminal proceedings and administrative investigations. Automatic activation <br />technology, typically triggered by lightbar/siren engagement, ensures that key events <br />are recorded without relying solely on manual activation by officers. <br />Several California law enforcement agencies have adopted similar requirements: <br />•Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD): Requires activation of its Digital In-Car <br />Video System (DICVS) during Code-3 responses and pursuits. <br />•Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD): Requires in-car audio/video <br />recording to begin automatically when overhead lights are activated, continuing <br />until the incident concludes. <br />These policies have been shown to enhance transparency, reduce litigation risk, <br />improve officer safety, and strengthen community trust.