BODY-WORN CAMERAS

Columbus City Codes tit. 19, ch. 1914

in effect

Columbus City Codes § 1914.01 Definitions

1914.01 - Definitions (A) "Body-worn camera" means a visual and audio recording device worn on the person of a division of police officer while the division of police officer is engaged in the performance of the division of police officer's duties. (B) "Division of police" means the City of Columbus division of police. (Ord. No. 0196-2021, § 1, 2-1-2021; Ord. No. 1973-2021, § 1, 7-19-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 1914.02 Activation of body-worn camera

1914.02 - Activation of body-worn camera (A) Whenever a division of police officer who has been assigned a body-worn camera engages in an enforcement action, or intends to engage in an enforcement action, the officer shall activate their body-worn camera no later than when exiting their vehicle or approaching an individual(s). Enforcement actions shall be recorded unless otherwise prohibited by federal, state, or local law. Enforcement actions shall consist of: (1) Calls for service and self-initiated activity (2) All investigatory stops (3) Traffic and pedestrian stops (4) Pursuits by foot, vehicles, bicycle, or any other means of transportation available to division of police officers (5) Any use of force (6) Any arrest (7) Any forced entry of a structure, vehicle, or other premises (B) Division of police officers assigned a body-worn camera shall also activate the camera when an encounter becomes adversarial, or its use would be appropriate and/or valuable to document an incident unless otherwise prohibited by federal, state, or local law. (C) This section does not apply when: (1) A division of police officer has not been assigned a body-worn camera; or (2) A division of police officer has been assigned a body-worn camera but is working an assignment where a body-worn camera is not required; or (3) A body-worn camera malfunctions. (4) A division of police officer is working an assignment to a federal or state law enforcement taskforce with which the Division of Police has a memorandum of understanding. (Ord. No. 0196-2021, § 1, 2-1-2021; Ord. No. 1973-2021, § 1, 7-19-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 1914.03 Participation in State and Federal Law Enforcement Taskforces

1914.03 - Participation in State and Federal Law Enforcement Taskforces (A) The Division of Police, in entering into Memorandums of Understanding ("MOU") with partner law enforcement agencies, shall assure that the MOU contains body-worn camera policies that require officers to wear and activate body-worn camera 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 federal, state and/or local warrants; or (2) the execution of a search or seizure warrant or order upon or within a structure. (B) Division of police officers assigned to a state or federal law enforcement taskforce shall activate their body-worn cameras in accordance with the policies articulated in the operative MOU and at the direction of the supervising officer of the taskforce to which the officer is assigned. (Ord. No. 1973-2021, § 1, 7-19-2021)

Columbus City Codes § 1914.99 Penalty

1914.99 - Penalty Any division of police officer that violates any section of this chapter may be subject to disciplinary action as provided by the division of police, department of public safety, or any applicable collective bargaining agreement. (Ord. No. 0196-2021, § 1, 2-1-2021; Ord. No. 1973-2021, § 1, 7-19-2021)

Source: City of Columbus, City Codes and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/oh/columbus/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT19POFIDICO_CH1914BORNCAFetched: 10/27/2026