Body-Worn Cameras are Coming to NIH

Police body cameras are coming to NIH

The NIH Police will begin using body-worn cameras (BWCs) on the NIH Bethesda area and Hamilton, Mont. campuses beginning in late December 2024. The use of BWCs is viewed as a critical step toward enhancing public trust, accountability, transparency and safety in law enforcement activities and follows Executive Order 14074, which mandates that all federal law enforcement must wear and activate body-worn cameras during arrests and other law enforcement actions.  

The BWC program aims to provide an integrated video and audio recording solution, providing significant benefits for both NIH Police officers and the public.

“However, body worn cameras should only be considered as one element in understanding an incident involving an officer and the public they serve,” said NIH Chief of Police Cleveland Spruill. “Their use creates a reliable record of enforcement interactions, building trust and confidence between dedicated officers and the NIH community.”

Guidelines will direct officers on the appropriate use, storage, accessing and sharing of BWCs and their video recordings to ensure transparency and accountability. 

Other benefits include: 

• Improved Evidence Collection: High-quality video and audio recordings ensure accurate documentation of events, supporting investigations and legal proceedings  
• Reduction in Complaints and Aggression: BWCs deter aggression, reduce complaints and lower instances of use-of-force incidents.   
• Training Opportunities: Recordings offer valuable insights for training new officers and improving law enforcement practices.   
• Boost in Morale and Civility: Officers and citizens benefit from improved professionalism and respect during interactions.   

Introducing BWCs comes with the understanding that certain areas of campus, specifically direct patient care, secure laboratories and locations with a reasonable expectation of privacy are off limits, unless explicitly for investigative purposes. Conversely, cameras must be activated during potential crimes or police actions (such as arrests, detentions, consensual encounters intended to be investigative in nature, interactions with adversarial individuals, contact with mental health consumers needing services, traffic stops, and interviews with suspects, victims, and witnesses).  

All video data will be securely transmitted via a high-security network and stored securely in compliance with stringent federal standards. A thorough vetting process, involving the FOIA and privacy offices and the U.S. attorney, will determine if and how footage can be released to the courts, media and the public. Extensive, comprehensive officer and stakeholder training on responsible use of BWC and requisite policies began in early December.  

To learn more about BWCs and the commitment to their responsible use at NIH, please watch this tutorial (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLLyxuQs0Ss) or visit the draft policy directive at security.nih.gov. 

The NIH Police emphasizes that the BWC program is not only a compliance measure, but also a transformative tool to strengthen public safety, foster accountability and reinforce the bond of trust with the community. Those with related questions are encouraged to email the NIH Police chief at policechief@mail.nih.gov.