As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
BODY-WORN CAMERA (BWC)
An "on-the-body" video and audio recording system worn by
a trooper/police officer to capture digital multimedia evidence as
an additional means of documenting specific incidents in the field
in the course and scope of his/her official duties.
BODY-WORN CAMERA LIAISON SUPERVISOR
A DESPP sworn employee who holds the rank of Sergeant or
higher who is designated by the troop or unit commanding officer to
assist with the implementation of the body-worn camera within his/her
troop/unit by providing assistance and guidance to troopers who are
assigned a body-worn camera.
DESPP SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR (SA)
A DESPP employee designated and authorized with full access
to user rights who assigns and tracks master inventory of equipment
and controls passwords and end-user security access rights.
DIGITAL MULTIMEDIA VIDEO FILES (DMVF)
Digital multimedia video files consist of all digital recordings,
to include but not limited to audio, video, photographs, and their
associated metadata. Metadata includes any digital identifiers that
are captured as part of the actual recording, such as date/time, GPS
coordinates, labeling, etc.
EVIDENCE TRANSFER MANAGEMENT (ETM)
The transfer of media from the body-worn camera to a secured
server or other reliable secure storage source. The method of evidence
transfer management for body-worn cameras shall be approved by the
SA.
LOCAL BODY-WORN CAMERA COORDINATOR
A resident trooper or other assigned sworn DESPP employee
that shall be responsible to assist with the implementation of body-worn
cameras within his/her assigned town(s) by providing assistance and
guidance to personnel assigned a body-worn camera. The Local BWC Coordinator
shall act as liaison to the SA.
MEDIA
For the purposes of this policy, references to "media" include
photographs, audio recordings and video footage captured by the BWC
device. The media is stored digitally and encrypted.
Due to the evolving nature of BWC technology, policy regarding
BWC shall be revised as necessary, at a minimum taking into account
the following:
A. The need to ensure compliance with C.G.S. § 29-6d(j) regarding
guidelines pertaining to the use of body-worn recording equipment,
retention of data created by such equipment and methods for safe and
secure storage for such data;
B. Technological or operational changes; and
C. Statutory changes and/or relevant court decisions.
This policy is applicable to all employees and public officials,
elected or appointed, with or without compensation, of the Town of
Ellington and/or Ellington Board of Education.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
ILLEGAL OR INAPPROPRIATE ACTIVITY
Includes any of the following:
A.
Activity that is a violation, or suspected violation, of local,
state or federal law, rule or regulation.
D.
Malfeasance or misfeasance of state, federal or local resources,
such as but not limited to misuse of Town funds, equipment or time.
E.
Activity that creates a substantial and specific danger to public
health and safety.
F.
Gross mismanagement, gross waste of money, or gross abuse of
authority as it relates to their official duties as a Town employee
or public official.
G.
A violation of the Town's Code of Ethics.
H.
A violation of any of the Town's policies.
WHISTLEBLOWER
Any employee or public official of the Town who, in good
faith, reports alleged inappropriate or illegal conduct of an employee
or public official as it relates to their official duties for the
Town.
Discretion is of utmost importance in these matters. Confidentiality
and anonymity, however, cannot be guaranteed, and information identifying
employees and public officials who have made a report or participated
in investigatory proceedings may surface. These matters will be handled
as discreetly and respectfully as possible. Confidentiality will be
maintained to the extent permissible under Connecticut Freedom of
Information Act provisions. Certain documentation related to the report
or investigatory proceedings may be subject to disclosure in accordance
with the Freedom of Information Act and other statutes governing such
disclosure. Only documents or information required to be disclosed
by state or federal law will be released to the requesting individual,
agency, or other entity. Documentation will remain on file as required
by state records retention requirements, after which time they may
be destroyed upon approval by the Connecticut Public Records Administrator.
When the investigation is complete, the employee or public official
who initiated the report will be informed, to the extent appropriate
and allowable by law, of the results of the investigation.