Original Date: 8/4/2020 * Last Revision Effective: 6/24/2026
Policy Contact: Vice President, Administrative Services
Purpose
The following procedures are established to meet the requirements for implementing policy # 6380 – Security Cameras
Procedures
Information Technology Services (ITS), along with Public Safety, and under the VP of Administrative Services (VP AS), will ensure system quality, guide camera placement with privacy in mind, and manage recording storage and retention. ITS will assess hardware/software interoperability and oversee storage logistics.
Security Camera Team
The College Security Camera Team is convened by the VP AS or designee and will include the following members:
- Director of public safety or designee
- Member(s) from ITS
- Director of campus operations or designee
- Human resources representative
- Representative(s) of the installation area or building, selected by the administrator with operational control of the area, in consultation with the VP AS or designee.
- Faculty representative
- Student representative
Camera Placement
Cameras will be placed in public spaces. All cameras will be visible and no audio will be recorded, except as otherwise specified by policy or procedure. Technical details (including, but limited to, camera counts, angles, and storage settings) may be restricted for security purposes.
The VP AS has approval authority on camera placement based on ITS and security camera team recommendations.
Access and Monitoring for Official Business
Cameras are not actively monitored. Video recordings may be viewed in relation to possible crimes or college policy violations, or as required by law. Public safety staff and other authorized personnel, as determined by the VP AS or designee, will handle information with an appropriate level of security to protect against unauthorized access, alteration, or disclosure. All personnel with access to college security cameras will be trained in the effective, legal, and ethical use of monitoring equipment.
Cabinet-level administrators may request live feed access to cameras for staff members to monitor locations in their functional area (e.g., athletics may be allowed to have live feed access to cameras in the gym). All access requests must go through the VP AS or designee. Any equipment used to view the live access feed must be placed in a location that maintains privacy.
Requests for Records
Requests for records associated with security cameras, including but not limited to requests for camera footage, will be processed in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and college policy.
Storage and Retention of Recordings
All security footage will be stored securely with access restricted to authorized personnel.
BC will maintain all security camera records in accordance with the Washington State Government General Records Retention Schedule and the Community and Technical College Records Retention Schedule.
Limitations
Access, monitoring, storage, and retention of records related to security camera use will be governed by:
- Family and Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) regulations;
- Public Records Act RCW 42.56;
- Washington State Government General Records Retention Schedule and the Community and Technical College Records Retention Schedule;
- BC Policy 1440, Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation, which prohibits discrimination based on membership in a protected class;
- Professional, ethical, and legal considerations.
Training
All public safety personnel or other college employees with access to the camera system will be trained in the technical, legal, and ethical parameters of appropriate camera use. Personnel will receive a copy of this policy and associated procedures and provide written acknowledgement that they have read and understood its contents.
Relevant Laws and Other Resources
Washington State Government General Records Retention Schedule
Community and Technical College Records Retention Schedule
RCW 42.56.050 Invasion of privacy, when.
Family and Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
BC Policy 1440
Revision History
Original 8/4/2020
Approved By
President’s Cabinet
Last Updated June 29, 2026