CCTV Monitoring Policy
Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)
Monitoring and Recording:
Standard Operating Procedures
Homewood Communications
Center at Johns Hopkins University
Purpose:
The purpose of these policies and procedures is to provide
guidance regarding the use of CCTV on the Homewood campus of
The Johns Hopkins University. CCTV is used to enhance
security, safety and the quality of life of the campus
community by integrating the best practices of "virtual
policing" with state-of-the-art technology.
Policy Statement:
The Johns Hopkins University is using CCTV to monitor public
areas in order to deter crime and to assist Campus Safety
and Security in providing for the security and safety
of individuals and property of the University community.
Any diversion of security technologies for other purposes
would undermine the acceptability of these resources for
critical safety goals and is therefore prohibited.
Legitimate safety and security purposes for CCTV monitoring
include, but are not limited to the:
Protection of individuals, property and buildings;
Confirmation of alarms;
Patrol of public areas;
Investigation of criminal activity.
Security management and Homewood Communications Center supervisors
will assure responsible and proper camera monitoring
practices by center monitors.
Video monitoring for security purposes will be conducted in
a professional, ethical, and legal manner. Monitoring
individuals based on characteristics of race, gender,
ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or other
protected classifications is prohibited.
Staff involved in video monitoring will be appropriately
trained and supervised in the responsible use of this
technology.
Information obtained through video monitoring will be used
exclusively for safety, security, and law enforcement
purposes. Recorded images will be stored in a secure
location with access by authorized staff only.
Video monitoring of public areas for security purposes at
the university is limited to uses that do not violate the
reasonable expectation of privacy.
Responsibilities:
Campus Safety and
Security
oversees and coordinates the use of CCTV on the campus. The
Executive Director of Security authorizes all CCTV monitoring for safety and security purposes on the
campus.
Campus Safety and
Security
employees or subcontractors under the
direction of the Department are responsible for the
daily operation of the cameras. They will follow all
university policies, procedures, and guidelines in the
monitoring of CCTV cameras. No staff other than center
monitors, center supervisors or Department staff
trained in the use of the CCTV system will operate cameras
at any time. The Executive Director of Security may appoint a person
to audit the monitoring operations, including image storage.
Procedures:
Homewood Communications
Center monitors will:
1. Conduct video observation of public areas that are in plain view
of others.
2. Be trained in the technical, legal, and ethical
parameters of appropriate camera use.
3. Monitor based on suspicious behavior, NOT group
characteristics.
Homewood Communications Center monitors will not:
1. Spot and continuously view people becoming intimate in public
areas.
2. View private rooms or areas through windows.
Security Systems Specialists must document all reportable observations in detail on
the Computer Assisted Dispatch (CAD) system.
Quality Assurance Procedures:
Security Systems manager and center's supervisory staff
will provide ongoing oversight of CCTV operator activities
and performance. Security Systems manager will also
conduct periodic, unscheduled reviews of the network digital
recorder.
Security Systems manager supplies each center monitor with a copy of
the university CCTV Monitoring and Recording Policies and
Standard Operating Procedures.
Periodically and without prior notice, management will have
center monitors demonstrate their knowledge and
understanding of relevant policies, procedures, and
technical skills.
Documentation:
Each Incident that is supported or initiated by CCTV will be
documented. In the record of the incident, the operator will
enter:
That CCTV was used on the incident;
The specific camera used; and
Any pertinent information gathered by CCTV.
Public notice of area cameras:
Signage giving notice of the University's possible CCTV
monitoring of a public area will be posted as deemed
appropriate to enhance the crime prevention value of the
CCTV system.
Updated 6.19.06
