STIR - Under Door Camera — File 25-1603

1 Template updated 9/30/2020 SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY IMPACT REPORT Department or Division: Somerville Police Department (SPD) Compliance Officer (name and position): LT. Diogo DeOliveira CID Supervisor Submitted by: LT. Diogo DeOliveira Date: October 21, 2025 Surveillance Technology: AARDVARK CORE Under Door Camera Please identify the purpose(s) of the proposed surveillance technology. Select ALL that apply by entering “X” in the left column. x Identifying and preventing threats to persons and property and preventing injury to persons or significant damage to property x Identifying, apprehending, and prosecuting criminal offenders x Gathering evidence of violations of any law in criminal, civil, and administrative proceedings x Providing information to emergency personnel Documenting and improving performance of City employees Executing financial transactions between the City and any individual engaged in a financial transaction with the City Preventing waste, fraud, and abuse of City resources Maintaining the safety and security of City employees, students, customers, and City-owned or controlled buildings and property Enforcing obligations to the City Operating vehicles for City business Analyzing and managing service delivery Communicating among City employees, with citizens, or with third parties Surveying and gathering feedback from constituents Other (Describe): If the surveillance technology is used for a purpose not listed above, does the purpose comply with the surveillance use policy? _x_ Yes ___ No

2 Template updated 9/30/2020 Complete ALL of the following items related to the proposed surveillance technology. Be as specific as possible. If an item is not applicable, enter “N/A.” Do NOT leave fields blank. 1. Information describing the surveillance technology and how it works: The AARDVARK CORE Under Door Camera from Tactical Electronics is a specialized surveillance tool designed for tactical operations, providing critical visual intelligence in challenging environments. The camera is used for breaching, reconnaissance, and hostage rescue scenarios. The CORE Under Door Camera provides 4 views: forward, upward, left, and right so officers have the necessary information in high-risk environments before making an entry to rooms behind closed doors. It provides a real-time video feed, enabling immediate assessment of the situation and critical information needed to bring about a swift and safe resolution to a conflict. The head of the camera can be adjusted to various angles, allowing for optimal viewing positions and maximizing the field of view. Videos are wirelessly streamed to the CORE Monitor or to the CORE Grip, a 1.0- inch eyepiece that displays the video without needing a separate monitor. The camera is capable of operating in low-light conditions, allowing for effective use in various lighting environments. a. Authorized use – the uses that are authorized, the rules and processes required before that use, and the uses that are prohibited (10.64.b.2): The equipment will only be used by trained members of the Somerville Police Special Response Team (SRT) during the course of training sessions in a controlled environment or operations/callouts that require the use of a specialized unit with specialized equipment. The SRT Commander, who is an officer of rank and experienced operator, is always present to ensure proper and authorized use of the equipment. b. Training – the training, if any, required for any individual authorized to use the surveillance technology or to access information collected by the surveillance technology, including whether there are training materials (10.64.b.9): The equipment comes with an operator’s manual from the manufacturer. The SRT members attend bi- weekly training where officers will practice operation of the equipment to gain proficiency for proper use, when necessary. All members of the team practice operation of the equipment. The training is overseen by trained, experienced supervisors with years of experience operating the equipment. 2. Information on the proposed purpose(s) for the surveillance technology (10.64.b.1): The CORE Under Door Camera is ideal for tactical operations where gaining visual access to confined or inaccessible spaces is crucial. Law enforcement widely use the tool for breaching, reconnaissance, and hostage rescue scenarios. These cameras give first responders enhanced situational awareness to better assess hidden threats while minimizing collateral damage and risk to the community. The camera is optimized to work in confined and complex spaces, restoring situational awareness to first responders. The CORE under door cameras can be used in a number of situations, such as: • Room clearing, • High risk warrants, • Hostage situation, • Barricaded subjects; 3. Information describing the kind of surveillance the surveillance technology is going to conduct and what surveillance data is going to be gathered (10.64.b.3): The cameras are used to gather vital situational information from a safe distance. It helps first responders see via video images whether a confined space is safe to enter. Examples include assessing whether the structure has a concealed or camouflaged device designed to harm or surprise first responders upon entry (aka booby trap), whether the suspect is armed, etc. The cameras are deployed only in authorized investigations to

3 Template updated 9/30/2020 capture real-time situational data, audio and video are not stored locally on the device but can be retained with the use of an external SD card. a. Data access – the individuals who can access or use the collected surveillance data, and the rules and processes required before access or use of the information (10.64.b.4): Use of this technology falls under the section of the City’s Surveillance Technology Use Policy entitled “Video Surveillance Technology, Data, and Use by the Police Department”. The camera would only be used by members of the SRT authorized by and under the supervision of the SRT Commander. Those with access capabilities, primarily members of the SRT, can view live feeds from the camera in real time. b. Data protection – the safeguards that protect information from unauthorized access, including, but not limited to, encryption, access-control, and access-oversight mechanisms; (10.64.b.5) This camera features wireless, high definition, digitally encrypted cameras and monitors. Videos are wirelessly streamed to the CORE Monitor over an AES-encrypted channel, with an optional hardwire cable connection available for Radio Frequency-restricted environments. SD Card recording and playback is possible for post-operation analysis and evidence collection. The camera is only used by members of the SRT authorized by and under the supervision of the SRT Commander. c. Data retention – the time period, if any, for which information collected by the surveillance technology will be routinely retained, the reason that retention period is appropriate to further the purpose(s), the process by which the information is regularly deleted after that period has elapsed, and the conditions that must be met to retain information beyond that period (10.64.b.6): There would be no preservation of data except if the footage is needed for an investigation, an after- action debrief, or training. Data retention would only be conducted by the SRT Commander and stored in a separate location and not a shared drive. When the recording of audio and video is needed, a separate SD card must be used. There is no local storage capability on the device. The SRT Commander would be the overseer of any retention of data. d. Public access – if and how collected surveillance data can be accessed by members of the public, including criminal defendants (10.64.b.7): Members of the public can make a Public Information Request through the Administrative Captain in writing. This request is then forwarded to the City of Somerville Law Department for final approval. If the video is preserved for a criminal investigation and becomes evidence, it is by law subject to discovery. e. Third-party data-sharing – if and how other city or non-city entities can access or use the surveillance data, including any required justification and legal standard necessary to do so, and any obligation(s) imposed on the recipient of the surveillance data (10.64.b.8): Data could be shared depending on the investigation and if other law enforcement agencies are involved or affected or if there is a public safety threat. Images/video would be shared with the District Attorney’s office as part of submitting evidence for a criminal case. Images could be shared if there was a joint investigation with another Law Enforcement agency such as the State Police or the FBI. Images would only be shared with members of the investigating group who had permission to use these devices. 4. The location(s) it may be deployed and when: The under the door camera can be used in a number of situations, such as: • Room clearing, • High risk warrants, • Hostage situation, • Barricaded subjects; These cameras are always in possession and control of the SRT and only authorized to be used by a trained

4 Template updated 9/30/2020 member of the SRT under the direction and supervision of the SRT Commander. The SRT Commander will decide when it is appropriate and necessary to deploy the camera. 5. A description of the privacy and anonymity rights affected and a mitigation plan describing how the department’s use of the equipment will be regulated to protect privacy, anonymity, and limit the risk of potential abuse: Monitoring anything that would not be part of the ongoing operation and investigation would be prohibited. Once the operation is concluded, the camera is removed from the scene and stored away. The camera is physically locked away and would not be accessible to anyone other than a member of the SRT. The camera is only used under the direction and supervision of the SRT Commander, and it would only be used to identify hidden threats while minimizing collateral damage and risk to first responders and the community. 6. The potential impact(s) on privacy in the city; the potential impact on the civil rights and liberties of any individuals, communities or groups, including, but not limited to, communities of color or other marginalized communities in the city, and a description of whether there is a plan to address the impact(s): The Somerville Police Department has a Bias Based Policing Policy (#115). This policy emphasizes the Department’s commitment to protecting the Constitutional and civil rights of its citizens. Officers are trained annually on this policy. This technology is only used during a criminal investigation that requires the use of a specialized unit with specialized equipment, under guidelines and laws laid out by the department and state. It is used to investigate a particular suspect and would not be used outside the specific location that is subject to that specific investigation. The purpose of this camera is to keep first responders and the civilians safe. 7. An estimate of the fiscal costs for the surveillance technology, including initial purchase, personnel and other ongoing costs, and any current or potential sources of funding: There would be no cost to the City for use of this technology. The equipment is a UASI asset in the custody of the Somerville Police Department as we are a member of the Metro Boston Homeland Security Region UASI community. The cost of the training is incorporated in the regular training of the unit, which is also paid for through the UASI grant. 8. An explanation of how the surveillance use policy will apply to this surveillance technology and, if it is not applicable, a technology-specific surveillance use policy: This technology involves filming and obtaining images of individuals during the course of a criminal investigation. Based on this, the section of the city’s surveillance technology use policy entitled “Video Surveillance Technology, Data, and Use by the Police Department” would apply. a. Oversight – the mechanisms to ensure that the surveillance use policy is followed, including, but not limited to, identifying personnel assigned to ensure compliance with the policy, internal record keeping of the use of the technology or access to information collected by the surveillance technology, technical measures to monitor for misuse, any independent person or entity with oversight authority, and the sanctions for violations of the policy (10.64.b.10): When there is a situation which requires the use of a specialized unit with specialized equipment, the SRT Commander, who is an officer of rank, is always present to ensure proper and authorized use of the equipment and is also responsible for compliance with the above-mentioned policy. The Commander is also responsible for submitting an after-action report detailing the operation to the Chief of Police. The Surveillance Technology Use Policy, all SPD policies and all applicable Massachusetts laws apply. Failure to adhere to policy and misuse of this technology would result in discipline up to and including termination depending on the violations.