MPDC Operates CCTV on a Limited Basis

MPDC’s CCTV system is generally intended to help manage public  resources (such as police officers) during major public events and  demonstrations and to coordinate traffic control on an as-needed basis. MPDC can obtain real-time  video images from other D.C. agencies, including the District of Columbia  Public Schools. According to the Chief, the United States  Park Police initially planned to wait until its policy was complete to  resume the operation of its CCTV system; however, they used the cameras  during large-scale demonstrations on the National Mall and when the  Department of Homeland Security increased the national threat level to  high alert (code orange). According to an Interior official, the United States Park Police  is not required to obtain public comment on its proposed CCTV policy;  however, it is considering providing the public an opportunity to  comment. MPDC and the United States Park Police CCTV Management Controls Address Proper Use of CCTV Systems

MPDC and United States Park Police officials have in place or are putting  in place, respectively, management controls for operating their CCTV  systems and handling CCTV images. Specifically, MPDC’s regulations and  the United States Park Police’s draft policy address the need for  appropriate supervision to protect against inappropriate use of their  systems and establish procedures for appropriate access to and handling  of CCTV images. United States Park Police officials also said that it has been difficult to find  measures of effectiveness for such things as crime prevention related to  CCTV use. Experiences of Other CCTV Users in the United States and UK Reveal Best Practices for Other Interested Locations

Officials in the selected U.S. cities and in the UK shared with us practices  that they considered beneficial to help ensure proper and effective use of  CCTV systems. Clear Goals and Purpose Help Ensure Appropriate Use and Alleviate Concerns Raised

To help ensure that CCTV systems are used effectively, some CCTV users  in the UK indicated that it is important to have a plan prior to the  implementation of the CCTV system that should include clear, realistic,  and measurable goals for the CCTV system, as well as how CCTV might  address the goals. CCTV users in selected U.S. cities also found audits to be helpful. Civil liberties advocates have raised concerns about the protection of  privacy and the proper use of CCTV systems. The experiences of CCTV users in the United States and the  UK can help guide other jurisdictions that are considering the use of this  law enforcement tool with regard to openness and community  involvement; uniform standards and management controls; and the  establishment of realistic, clear, and measurable performance goals.
Why GAO Did This Study

Law enforcement use of closed-circuit television (CCTV) as a tool to fight crime and terrorism has become more prevalent over time. Civil liberties advocates have raised privacy concerns about its use. This report describes (1) the Metropolitan Police Department's and the United States Park Police's implementation of CCTV to monitor public spaces in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area such as the National Mall and (2) the management controls they established to address privacy concerns. GAO also identified experiences of selected CCTV users that provide insights to help ensure the proper CCTV use.

What GAO Found

The Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia's CCTV system was implemented, among other things, to facilitate crowd management during large demonstrations; however, officials indicated that the system could also be used to help combat terrorism. The system is used on an as-needed basis for such things as crowd control and when the national terrorism threat level is set to high alert (code orange). The Metropolitan Police Department obtained public comments on its implementation of CCTV. In contrast, the United States Park Police uses CCTV, among other purposes, primarily to combat terrorism and operates its CCTV system on a continuous basis. The United States Park Police has not obtained public input on its implementation of CCTV, but it is considering providing the public an opportunity to provide input. The Metropolitan Police developed regulations and the United States Park Police developed draft policies for operating their CCTV systems. Both include management controls that address the protection of privacy and the proper use of CCTV such as the need for supervision to protect against improper use and the establishment of procedures to control access to CCTV images. The experiences of CCTV users in the United Kingdom (UK) and selected U.S. cities revealed best practices for the implementation and use of CCTV. For example, UK and U.S. officials considered providing training and audits helpful to ensuring proper use of CCTV. Officials in the UK and others shared their best practices that include (1) operating CCTV systems in an open environment helps to alleviate privacy concerns; (2) having uniform standards helps to reassure the public that safeguards are in place when utilizing CCTV and provides CCTV operators guidance for proper use; and (3) establishing realistic, clear, and measurable goals helps make CCTV systems more effective and can also reassure the public about its use.