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CITY OF SANTAANA <br /> Council member-Requested Item Report <br /> DATE <br /> October 7, 2025 (Continued from the Regular City Council meeting of September 16, <br /> 2025, Item No. 29) <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 /> 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. <br /> CITY ATTORNEY CITY MANAGER CITY CLERK <br /> Sonia R.Carvalho Alvaro Nunez 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 />