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City says code inspectors used unauthorized body cameras; officials to develop policy
Summary
During a study session Syracuse City officials disclosed that at least one code inspector privately used a body camera without city approval. City leaders said they cut funding for inspector bodycams this year and will develop a policy to address recording, storage and use of footage.
Syracuse City officials said inspectors have used privately purchased body cameras without authorization and that the city will develop a formal policy governing recording and data storage.
The matter surfaced during a neighborhood development update when a speaker identified in the meeting as Collins said, “they were wearing a body cam, which we did not approve.” City leaders said the city had not adopted a policy or funding for body cameras for code enforcement and that funding had been removed from this year’s budget.
The deputy mayor (speaking during the session) told councilors the administration was not previously aware inspectors had purchased equipment privately and said the city would “address it” and determine whether to return with a formal policy for code enforcement recordings. Officials flagged data-storage and ownership as unresolved issues, saying footage obtained privately “doesn’t belong to us” and must be addressed.
City staff described a partial, unfinished process: the administration had discussed a policy and met with committee members but cut the funding for city-provided body cameras during budget decisions. Staff said some inspectors bought devices privately because of safety concerns in the field and that the city will investigate and take immediate steps now that the practice is known.
Officials emphasized safety risks for inspectors in the field as part of the rationale for considering recordings, but also stressed the need for a consistent, citywide approach to how footage and related personal data (for example license-plate images) are stored and shared. The deputy mayor said the administration would reset work on whether to bring a policy back to council for consideration.
Councilors and staff requested that the administration report next steps to the council and confirm whether privately recorded footage remains in city possession or was stored externally; the session transcript shows staff said they are “taking a look at it immediately.”
