Federal Insights Exchange: Department of Justice - Body Worn Camera (BWC) Policy

In October 2020, DOJ announced a policy that permits state and local officers on DOJ Task Forces to wear and activate BWCs when the use of force is possible - while serving arrest warrants, executing other planned arrest operations, and during the execution of search warrants. On June 7 2021, based on recommendations from the Department's law enforcement components, the Attorney General directed the Acting Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; the Acting Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Director of the Federal Bureau of lnvestigation, and the Director of the United States Marshals Service to develop and submit for review, within 30 days, component BWC policies that require agents to wear and activate BWC recording equipment for purposes of recording their actions during: (1) a pre-planned attempt to serve an arrest warrant or other pre-planned arrest, including the apprehension of fugitives sought on state and local warrants; or (2) the execution of a search or seizure warrant or order.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)

The ATF was the first component of DOJ to embrace and implement the use of body worn cameras. Leaders from ATF will share their experiences and lessons-learned in implementing this technology.

Learning Objectives:

• Policy and Privacy
• Technology considerations – cameras, storage, networks, etc.
• Preservation of Evidence
• Mission Results
• Next Generation Opportunities

This session is being coordinated by the Federal Insights Exchange DOJ Planning Committee.