Security Camera Policy

The purpose of this policy is to regulate the use of security cameras on the properties of Tenth Presbyterian Church to protect the legal and privacy interests of Tenth and its members.

1. Cameras will be limited to locations and situations that do not violate the reasonable expectation of privacy as defined by law. Camera locations must be approved by the Trustees.

2. Cameras will be used in an appropriate, professional, ethical, and legal manner consistent with all existing church policies.

3. Surveillance data will be protected by encryption, passwords, and other best-practice security features.

4. The Director of Technology is responsible for the day-to-day maintenance and good working order of the Security Camera systems. When these duties require the Director of Technology to view recorded footage, he is to notify the Church Administrator.

5. Video footage will be retained for at least 30 days.

6. Security cameras will not record audio, in accordance with Pennsylvania law. Audio will only be transmitted as part of an intercom or public address system.

7. The Church Administrator may choose to make live (not recorded) security camera video available to staff members, volunteers, and residents.

8. The Executive Minister, Church Administrator, Director of Technology, and Facilities Manager will have access to the surveillance system and are to be trained in its use.

9. The Executive Minister, Church Administrator, Director of Technology, or Facilities Manager (reviewers) are authorized to view recorded video footage when two or more of the following people approve a request to review: a Trustee, a Minister, the Church Administrator, the Security Committee Chairman, the Director of Technology, the Facilities Manager (approvers).

   1. Approval must be granted in writing (text messages and email are acceptable) and must indicate the limits of the review (e.g. date, time, location).

   2. These reviewers may share footage with other people who were involved in the incident or investigation for the purposes of the investigation.

10. In non-emergency situations, a completed incident report is required before any consideration will be given to a video footage review.

11. In an emergency where access to recorded video is needed immediately and it is not practical to first complete an incident report (e.g. missing child, dangerous person on campus), any of the people listed above may approve an immediate review of recorded video. An incident report must be filed the same day.

    1. If the emergency involves Law Enforcement, permission is granted for Law Enforcement to view footage recorded in the relevant locations and during the timeframe of the event, but not beyond.

12. In non-emergency situations, review of footage by Law Enforcement must be approved by the Executive Minister or Church Administrator.

13. Footage shall only be shared with the public or members of the media if approved by the Executive Minister or Church Administrator.