Matters ▸ Attachment
STIR - Under Door Camera - UPDATED 1.8.26 — File 26-0092
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APPENDIX A: 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:
January 8, 2026
Surveillance Technology:
AARDVARK CORE Under Door Camera
X
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
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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. Use of this technology would fall under
the City’s Surveillance Technology Use Policy which articulates the rules, purposes, and policy of using
video surveillance 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. In case any
information is collected by the camera, to access use of this technology it would be under the guidelines
established in the section of the City’s Surveillance Technology Use Policy.
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 civilians. The camera is optimized to
work in confined and complex spaces, restoring situational awareness to first responders. The CORE under
the 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
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via video image 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
capture real-time situational data, audio, and video is 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 guidelines established in the section of the City’s Surveillance
Technology Use Policy. Police employees may only have access to Surveillance Data when such access is
necessary for their official duties. The camera would primarily 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. Use of this technology falls under the
guidelines established in the section of the City’s Surveillance Technology Use Policy. No Surveillance Data
shall be stored, accessed, or transmitted without proper encryption, access and password controls. The
camera is 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. 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):
Video evidence 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. When submitting Images/Video as evidence
for a criminal case, the data would be shared with the District Attorney’s office in accordance with
Massachusetts Rules of Evidence. 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
authorized members of the investigating group who had permission to view the video evidence. In the
event that a direct threat to officer safety is observed from the Thermal Imaging Monocular, the
supervising officer would authorize the dissemination of this particular threat to our regional partners
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through our Crime Analyst(s).
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
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 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 particular location that is subject to that
particular investigation. The purpose of this camera is to keep the first responders and the civilian 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 was purchased several years
ago and it was purchased through a UASI grant. The cost of the training is already 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 use of the Under the Door Camera will be governed by City’s Surveillance
Technology Use Policy.
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 this policy. The SRT Commander is also
responsible for submitting an after-action report detailing the operation to the Chief of Police. Violation
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of this policy and misuse of camera technology could lead to departmental discipline up to and including
termination.