LAPD: 2023 Using BWC Footage for Training and Constitutional Policing

In August 2015, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), with the assistance of the Bureau of Justice (BJA), began deploying 7,000 body-worn cameras (BWC) to all uniformed patrol officers in its 21 geographic areas.  This initial deployment was completed in 2018 and later expanded with 355 and 500 BWCs respectively, for the specialized details, through BJA’s  FY 2019 and 2021 BWC Policy and Implementation Program.  The BWC deployment is intended to enhance operations and safety, reporting, investigations and resolution of personnel complaints, documentation of evidence for criminal prosecution, and risk management.  Along with the implementation is a comprehensive set of policies and procedures for the use, training, deployment, storage, and review of BWC and its footages. 

Because the use of BWCs have become an integral part of policing, de-briefing, and affects virtually all interactions, investigations, community relations, and tactical and policy review, the LAPD seeks to integrate and use BWC footage into various training programs.  Using relevant videos would present invaluable insights and learning points, improving officer performance and advancing constitutional policing.

Under the Category 5 of the 2022 Body-worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program to Support Law Enforcement Agencies (O-BJA-2022-171093), the LAPD proposes to implement the LAPD: Using BWC Footage for Training and Constitutional Policing Program.  The LAPD will utilize grant funds to achieve a dual goal to (1) Enhance and expand the LAPD’s training curriculum in the LAPD Academy and In-Service training programs to integrate BWC footage to exemplify the best practices in law enforcement; and (2) Identify the best practices from this proposed training enhancement in order to replicate it as a nationwide standard in law enforcement training.    The proposed program will be implemented in three phases: Development, Implementation, and Assessment.  There will be two Project Managers within LAPD’s Training Division to coordinate all day-to-day grant activities.  Grant funds will be used to provide the LAPD Training Division the capacity and capability, by enhancing its technological and personnel capabilities, to integrate BWC footage in Academy and in-service training modules. The LAPD will work collaboratively with the assigned TTA during the implementation of the program as well as in the formation of an Assessment Committee to document best practices and lessons learned and attend conferences to share the final evaluation.