Longwood University

Chief Facilities Management and Information Officer:

Public Safety
201 High Street, Graham Building, Farmville, VA 23909
Phone: 434.395-2612
Fax: 434.395-2418

Policy ---Longwood University Video Surveillance Policy

I.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy is to regulate the use of video security cameras on all property
belonging to Longwood University.
II.

POLICY

The use of video security systems is recognized as a tool in reducing unlawful activities in
public places, and discourages vandalism, graffiti, and theft by assisting police officers in
identifying unlawful offenders. This policy applies to all University property locations and
all personnel, in the use of video security recording and monitoring.

General Information:
The Longwood University Police Department protects persons and property by
providing essential law enforcement and public safety services, stability and order through
service, assistance, and visibility while promoting student participation in life experiences
that highlight accountability and personal responsibility to the community and government
by community involvement.

The Longwood University Police Department strives to enhance the quality of life of
the campus community by integrating the best practices of public and private security with
state of the art technology. A critical component of a comprehensive security plan is using
video surveillance.

The use of a video security system is to deter crime and to assist the police officers in
protecting the students, faculty, staff, visitors and property of the University community.
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 Video monitoring for security purposes will be conducted in a professional, ethical,

and legal manner, and personnel involved in the use of video equipment will be
appropriately trained and supervised in the responsible use of this technology.

Information obtained through video recording will be used for security and law
enforcement purposes and for compliance with University policy. Information obtained
will only be released at the authorization of one of the following:

Chief of Police
Vice President for Student Affairs
Provost
President of the University

Video monitoring for security purposes will be conducted in a manner consistent with
all existing University policies and is limited to locations that do not violate the reasonable
expectation of privacy as defined by law.

Video camera installations will not possess the capability of recording sound at any
time with the exception of active investigations or covert operations that must be
authorized by the Longwood University Chief of Police.

III. OBJECTIVES:
The Longwood University Police Department is the department authorized to oversee
and coordinate the use of video equipment for safety and security purposes at Longwood
University.

The Chief of Police and or his designee has the responsibility to authorize the use of
video security equipment. All new installations will follow the Longwood University Police
Department operating principles and must be authorized.
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 The Longwood University Police Department will monitor new developments in the
relevant law and in security industry practices to ensure that video monitoring at the
University is consistent with the highest standards and practices.

Procedures:

Designated operators will follow all rules and regulations governing the use of video
security systems.

All information and observations utilized in the use of IP Camera equipment are
confidential and used only for official University and law enforcement business and will be
approved by the following:
Chief of Police
Vice President for Student Affairs
Provost
President of the University
Camera locations will also be designated by the above mentioned authorities.

A DVR (Digital Video Recorder) will record events temporarily unless retained by law
enforcement as part of a criminal or civil investigation or as otherwise approved by the
above mentioned authorities. The DVRs shall have the capability of storing images up to
30 days, after which unless retained, and the oldest image captured will be recorded over
first.

Signage stating that the premises may be under video surveillance will be installed at
all vehicle and sidewalk entrances to the campus and at all primary entrances to facilities.

 Cameras will not be monitored under normal operating conditions, but may be
monitored on an as needed basis for law enforcement purposes. Monitoring will be
conducted only at the direction of the above mentioned authorities.

Covert (hidden) camera surveillance may be used periodically when the University
experiences patterns of criminal activity to either persons or property. These cameras
would not be installed in any area that would violate the reasonable expectation of privacy
as defined by the law.

Video Security recordings will be accessed by designated Longwood employees only and
may not be used for illicit or unconscionable purposes.

CODE OF VIRGINIA Governing Disclosure of Information:

19.2-67. Disclosure of information obtained by authorized means.

A. Any investigative or law-enforcement officer, or police officer of a county or city,
who, by any means authorized by this chapter, has obtained knowledge of the
contents of any wire, electronic or oral communication, or evidence derived there
from, may disclose such contents to another investigative or law-enforcement
officer, or police officer of a county or city, to the extent that such disclosure is
appropriate to the proper performance of the official duties of the officer making or
receiving the disclosure.

B. Any investigative or law-enforcement officer or police officer of a county or city,

who, by any means authorized by this chapter, has obtained knowledge of the
contents of any wire, electronic or oral communication or evidence derived there
from may use such contents to the extent such use is appropriate to the proper
performance of his official duties.

C. Any person who has received, by any means authorized by this chapter, any
information concerning a wire, electronic or oral communication, or evidence
derived there from intercepted in accordance with the provisions of this chapter
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may disclose the contents of that communication or such derivative evidence while
giving testimony under oath or affirmation in any criminal proceeding for an
offense specified in 19.2-66, or any conspiracy or attempt to commit the same, in
any court of the United States or of any state or in any federal or state grand jury
proceeding.

D. No wire, electronic or oral communication which is a privileged communication

between the parties to the conversation which is intercepted in accordance with, or
in violation of, the provisions of this chapter shall lose its privileged character, nor
shall it be disclosed or used in any way.

E. When an investigative or law-enforcement officer, or police officer of a county or

city, while engaged in intercepting wire, electronic or oral communications in the
manner authorized herein, or observing or monitoring such interception intercepts,
observes or monitors wire, electronic or oral communications relating to offenses
other than those specified in the order of authorization, the contents thereof, and
evidence derived there from, shall not be disclosed or used as provided in
subsections A, B and C of this section, unless such communications or derivative
evidence relates to a felony, in which case use or disclosure may be made as
provided in subsections A, B and C of this section. Such use and disclosure
pursuant to subsection C of this section shall be permitted only when approved by a
judge of competent jurisdiction where such judge finds, on subsequent application,
that such communications were otherwise intercepted in accordance with the
provisions of this chapter. Violations of this subsection E shall be punishable as
provided in 19.2-62.

(Code 1950, 19.1-89.7; 1973, c. 442; 1975, c. 495; 1976, c. 231; 1979, c. 602; 1983, c. 536;
1988, c. 889.)

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