Public Records Commission approves tighter social-media and body-camera retention rules

The Public Records Commission on an unanimous voice vote approved amendments to Metro’s general records schedule that shorten how long social-media content and related metadata are retained, clarify classification and retention of email and other correspondence, and adopt a detailed retention schedule for police body-worn and in-car camera footage.

The changes were approved after presentations from Metro records staff and the police department describing the new categories and an automated retention process that will delete nonexempt material once the new schedules take effect.

Why it matters: The amendments affect public access to social-media comments and internal correspondence, the length of time police video evidence is available locally, and how long the district attorney’s office may retain copies of arrest-related footage. Metro officials said the changes will reduce storage needs while preserving evidence for litigation and prosecution where necessary.

Metro records staff told the commission that the general records schedule update will keep social-media posts for 30 days but will no longer retain commenters’ public exchanges and will reduce stored metadata for many platforms. The staff member said, “the Department of Law doesn't see a lot of value in keeping this…