Frequently Asked Questions
When is the CCSO Body-Worn Camera Program going to start?
Deployment of body-worn cameras for CCSO officers began with a pilot program and the Agency expects all officers to be trained and have their new devices operational in 2025.
Who will wear the body-worn cameras?
CCSO officers will be issued a body-worn camera, and the camera will generally be worn when working on an operational assignment.
Will CCSO members receive training before using the body-worn camera?
Before being issued a body-worn camera, CCSO members will be required to complete training related to the operation of the device and review CCSO’s body-worn camera policy.
When will CCSO officers wear the body-worn camera?
Body-worn cameras are generally worn on-duty for the entirety of the officer’s shift as a part of their uniform.
When must an officer activate their BWC?
Officers will manually activate BWCs at the outset of a call for service, during encounters with members of the public that are investigative or enforcement in nature, or during any encounter that becomes confrontational in nature. BWCs are automatically activated every time an officer turns on emergency equipment in a patrol car.
Officers will activate BWCs for legitimate law enforcement purposes only. The cameras record video from the 60 seconds before their activation. An officer who activates a BWC for a law enforcement purpose will not intentionally deactivate it without a clear investigative purpose.
When responding to K through 12 educational institutions, hospitals, or other medical facilities, officers will refrain from activating the camera unless necessary for law enforcement purposes. To the extent possible, officers will protect medical privacy.
Will a person be made aware that they are being recorded?
CCSO officers are required to inform any person at the start of any recording that audio and video are being recorded by the officer’s body-worn camera, unless unsafe, impractical, or impossible to do so.
Will members of the public be able to view body-worn camera recordings?
CCSO will release BWC footage consistent with the Maryland Public Information Act and other applicable State and Federal statutes and regulations and in consultation with the Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office. Each video will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to ensure a timely release without negatively impacting a criminal investigation or prosecution.
External requests for recordings, other than from law enforcement agencies, will be processed in accordance with CCSO’s Public Access to Records policy. Any third party that is not a law-enforcement agency will pay any costs associated with the preparation, review, and production of body-worn camera videos.
Requests for video records should be sent to the CCSO’s Records Section via the Agency website at https://ccso-md.nextrequest.com
How long will BWC footage be retained?
The retention time for footage will vary depending on the type of incident or investigation of which it is a part.
Will my private information be redacted before the release of BWC footage?
Yes, private information will be redacted before a video’s release in compliance with all records release laws and regulations.
Can an officer delete recordings?
No, an officer cannot delete or alter recordings.