Resolution No. 634 - REPEALED RES 639 - Staff Time for Redacting Body Camera Video RecordingRESOLUTION No. 634
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF YELM, WASHINGTON, APPROVING THE METHODOLOGY USED
TO CALCULATE THE FEE FOR STAFF TIME SPENT REDACTING BODY CAMERA VIDEO
RECORDING FOR CERTAIN REQUESTORS
WHEREAS, the Yelm Police Department implemented a Body Worn Video program in
2022; and
WHEREAS, body camera recording are public records subject to Chapter 42.56 RCW and
the Washington State Public Records Act; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to RCW 42.56.240(14)(f), law enforcement agencies are permitted
to charge requestors not exempted under RCW 42.56.240(14)(e) the reasonable cost of
redacting videos prior to disclosure; and
WHEREAS, the Yelm Police Department analyzed a 2017 Body Worn Video Redaction
Cost Study completed by the Seattle Police Department, which determined the amount of time
it takes to redact such footage, and multiplied that amount of time by the Yelm Police
Department Records staff salaries to determine the "reasonable cost" for such redactions; and
WHEREAS, the City Council approved the rate of $.068 per minute for time spent
redacting Police worn camera footage in Resolution No. 624 on January 10, 2023; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Yelm, Washington
as follows:
THAT: the City Council approve the methodology used to calculate the fee for actual
staff time cost incurred for redacting body camera video recording for requestors not exempted
under RCW 42.56.240(14)
Approved this 28th day of February, 2023
Joeinto, Mayor
Attest:
1 _
Kat%,y Linne yer, City Clerk
City of Seattle
Body Worn Video Redaction Cost Study
Narrative
February 2017
Background
SPD has implemented a Body Worn Video (BWV) program. officers will wear body cameras and will
capture recordings that are public records subject to the Washington Public Records Act, Chapt. 42.56
RCW (PRA). The PRA allows a law enforcement agency responding to requests for BWV recordings to
charge certain requestors the reasonable costs of redacting videos prior to disclosure. The purpose of
this cost study is to determine those reasonable costs. Allowable redaction costs are in addition to
copying costs that agencies are legally allowed to charge requestors.
Introduction
With the exception of the following requestors, the PRA allows an agency to charge a requestor the
reasonable costs of redacting, altering, distorting, pixelating, suppressing, or otherwise obscuring any
portion of the body worn camera recording prior to disclosure:
• A person directly involved in an incident recorded by the requested body worn camera
recording;
• An attorney representing a person directly involved in an incident recorded by the requested
body worn camera recording;
• A person or his or her attorney who requests a body worn camera recording relevant to a
criminal case involving that person;
• The executive director from either the Washington state commission on African-American
affairs, Asian Pacific American affairs, or Hispanic affairs; or
• If relevant to a cause of action, an attorney who represents a person regarding a potential or
existing civil cause of action involving the denial of civil rights under the federal or state
Constitution, or a violation of a United States department of justice settlement.
Ari agency that charges redaction costs must use redaction technology that provides the least costly
commercially available method of redacting body worn camera recordings, to the extent possible and
reasonable.
The purpose of this cost study is to determine the reasonable cost of redacting BWV recordings in order
to provide a requestor the estimated cost of redacting particular BWV recordings and, to provide
requestors a choice of redaction types in order to reduce costs to those requestors.
ATTACHMENT 1
57
Principles
• We charge for redactions based on the parameters provided in the PRA
• We charge staff time directly applicable to redacting videos
• We charge staff time (salary + benefits) for no more than the lowest -paid employee assigned
responsibility for redacting video
• We have highly -skilled Video Specialists who apply their expertise to redact video in an efficient
and skillful manner
• We use redaction technology that most effectively and efficiently meets the administrative and
operational needs of the Department
We do not charge requestors any costs related to the redaction technology
The City incurs substantial costs for video management, processing, storage, and redaction
technology
• In addition to allowed redaction costs, we charge requestors the actual cost of copies of BWV
recordings as provided in the PRA
Types of Redactions
Targeted Video Redaction of Person or Object with or without Targeted Audio Redaction: This
blurs or blacks out the face or identifying features of an individual or object and removes
exempt audio content
• Targeted Audio Redaction Alone: This removes exempt portions of the audio
• Targeted Blackout of Screen or Targeted Screen Blur with or without Audio Removal: This
completely blacks out targeted segment(s) of video. it may also remove all audio from the
segment(s) as called for
• Complete Screen Blur and Audio Removal: This blurs the entire screen for the entire duration of
the video and removes all audio for the entire duration of the video
• The types of video redactions are illustrated in the next section
Video Redaction Type Illustrations
Targeted Video Redaction' Targeted Blackout of Screen Screen BIur2
'The size of the dot or shape obscuring an individual or object may vary to ensure that exempt identifying details
are sufficiently obscured.
2 Screen Blur may be targeted for a specific length of time within a video or for the entire duration of the video at
the option of the requestor. Screen blur here is illustrated at 60% blur. The level of blurring may vary to ensure
that exempt identifying details are sufficiently obscured
ATTACHMENT 1
Redaction Process
The cost of redacting video using current technology reflects actual staff time derived from the workflow
necessary to apply redactions as detailed in the SPD Redaction Process Workflow, attached to this Cost
Study.
Time Studies
Stopwatch style time studies were conducted to determine the amount of time it takes to redact BWV
recordings including how long it takes to fully blur and remove audio from an entire video, eliminate one
minute of video, redact one minute of simple audio, redact one minute of complex audio, redact one
minute of simple video, and redact one minute of complex video.
Time Study Results:
Redaction Type
Targeted Video Redaction with or
without Targeted Audio Redaction
Targeted Audio Redaction Alone__
FT—aeted Blackout of Screen,
Targeted Screen Blur with or
without Audio Removal
Complete Screen Blur and Audio
Removal
Actual Time
1 Minute per individual or
object redacted
1 Minute
1 Minute
Per Video
Video Specialist Weighted Salaries
Redaction Time
10 Minutes per individual or
object redacted
5 Minutes
4.5 Minutes
1 Minute
The weighted salaries for Video Specialists within SPD range from $.61 per minute to $.89 per minute.
The PRA allows agencies to charge the actual cost of redacting BWV recordings including the cost of
redaction technology provided it is the least costly commercially available method. The Video Specialists
weighted salary amounts do not include the cost of redaction technology and the City does not intend to
charge requestors technology costs at this time. The City intends to charge requestors at the rate of $.60
per minute of Video Specialist time to redact body worn videos. This rate is below the actual cost
incurred by the City for redacting video.
Estimating Redaction Costs
Based on the results of the cost study, SPD Public Disclosure Unit staff will calculate estimated redaction
costs at the following rates:
Redaction Method1
Estimated Cost Per
Minute to Redact
Minutes to Redact Per
Minute of Raw Footage
Estimated Cost of Redaction
Per Minute of Raw Footage
Targeted Video
$0.60 per
10 per individual or
$6.00 per individual or
Redaction with or
individual or object
object redacted
object redacted
without Targeted
redacted
Audio Redaction
_
Targeted Audio
$0.60
5
$3.00
Redaction Alone
ATTACHMENT 1
59
Targeted Blackout of
$0.60
4.5
$2.70
Screen, Targeted
Screen Blur with or
without Audio
Removal
_
Complete Screen Blur
$0.60
N/A
$0.60/video
and Audio Removal
-
SPD Will Charge Redaction Costs Based on Actual Redaction Time
The City will charge requestors redaction costs reflecting the actual time it takes to redact a particular
video calculated at the rate of $0.60 per minute.
ATTACHMENT 1
ATTACHMENT
SPD Redaction Process Workflow for Body Worn Video Redaction
1. Receive Initial Video Request
a. Locate video in Evidence.com using one or more of the following fields: case number,
officer ID, and date/time
b. Conduct additional research in RMS/CAD to locate additional video not tagged by
officer, if needed.
c. If one video is identified, then a direct download from Evidence.com can be conducted.
d. If multiple videos are identified, then a bulk download is requested (Evidence.com is a
cloud -based system)
e. If targeted video and/or audio redaction is required proceed to either Step 2 or Step 3
depending on whether redaction will be done jointly by PDO and Video Specialist or by
Video Specialist working independently
f. If complete screen blur and audio removal is required, proceed to step 4
2. Coordinated PDO/Video Specialist Redaction Process
a. Unzip video files and place videos temporarily on local machine
b. Receive Evidence.com download link via email and download videos.
c. Upload videos to GOVQA for PDO to identify redactable content.
d. Video Specialist deletes video files from local machine.
e. PDO watches and listens to video identifying content that requires redaction, detailing
relevant time codes.
f. PDO sends redaction request to Video Unit
g. Video Unit receives request in GOVQA or Video Unit Electronic Ordering Form (one
redaction request will usually contain multiple video files that need redacting).
h. Review redaction instruction spreadsheet with video timecodes, description of
identifying information, and type of redaction (blur, audio only, etc.)
i. Print hard copy of request.
j. Locate videos in GOVQA.
k. Download to local workstation.
I. Import files to Adobe Premiere.
m. Conduct audio/video redactions as indicated in spreadsheet provided by the PDO.
3. Video Specialist Only Redaction Process
a. Unzip video files and place videos temporarily on local machine.
ATTACHMENT 1
61
b. Receive Evidence.com download link via email and download videos.
c. Download to local workstation.
d. Import files to Adobe Premiere Video Specialist watches and listens to video identifying
content that requires redaction.
4. Video Specialist applies redactions
a. If Complete Screen Blur and Audio Removal is required, Video Specialist applies blur to
entire video and removes all audio as appropriate.
b. If Targeted Blackout of screen or audio redaction is required, Video Specialist will apply
blackout and remove audio at appropriate points in video.
c. If Targeted Screen Blur or audio redaction is required, Video Specialist will apply screen
blur and remove audio at appropriate points in video.
d. If the Targeted Video Redaction is required, Video Specialist must selectively
blur/obscure video FRAME BY FRAME to ensure the exempt content is removed
L Camera movement, lighting conditions, environment, proximity of
individuals/objects to camera, number of individuals/objects to be redacted,
and other qualitative factors will contribute to the complexity of the redaction.
e. Multiple passes of the video will be required to track individuals and/or ensure that all
exempt video and audio content has been redacted throughout video.
f. Video Specialist conducts quality assurance by replaying video in real time 1:1 or slower
2:1 and event 3:1 to refine redaction and ensure redaction accuracy.
g. Export videos from Adobe Premiere.
5. Redaction Distribution
a. Upload /Transfer redacted files to GOVQA.
b. Notification is generated after video redaction is complete and is sent to PDO that
redaction is complete.
c. PDO receives the video files and reviews videos for accuracy.
d. If additional redactions are identified, then request is re -submitted to Video Specialist.
e. If no additional redactions are required, then Video Specialist logs request as
completed.
ATTACHMENT 1
62
WASHINGTON
MEMORANDUM
DATE: 02/28/2023
TO: Yelm City Council
FROM: Rob Carlson, Police Chief
SUBJECT: Body Camera Redaction Fee
The rate of $0.68 per minute charged to requestors for time spent redacting Police worn
camera video footage was calculated using the following method.
The 2022 salary range for the Administrative Assistant in the Police Department was used to
calculate the median salary for the position.
Low $27.15 High $32.57 Median $29.86
City paid benefits calculated at .37%. (Retirement, Medical Insurance, WA PFMLA)
Median rate of $29.86 * .37 = $11.05 Hourly Benefit Rate
The median hourly rate $29.86 + the benefit hourly rate $11.05 = Total hourly rate $40.91.
Hourly rate of $40.91,/60 (minutes in an hour) = $0.68 per minute rate as approved in
Resolution No. 624 on January10, 2023.
EST. 1924
24
WASHINGTON
Meeting Date: February 28, 2023
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
City of Yelm, Washington
The methodology to calculate the fee of $.068 per minute to recover the cost of actual staff
time incurred by the City for redacting body worn video is attached. Detail of Rate Calculation
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution No. 634
City of Seattle Body Worn Video Redaction Cost Study Narrative, February 2017
® Detail of Rate Calculation
Respectfully Submitted:
Rob Carlson
Police Chief
21 Page
i
EST. 192.1i
WASHINGTON
Meeting Date: February 28, 2023
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
City of Yelm, Washington
AGENDA ITEM: CLARIFYING AND APPROVING THE METHODOLOGY USED TO CALCULATE THE
FEE FOR STAFF TIME SPENT REDACTING BODY CAMERA VIDEO RECORDINGS FOR CERTAIN
REQUESTORS
PROPOSED MOTION: Motion to approve the methodology used to calculate the fee for staff
time spent redacting body camera video recordings for certain requestors as approved in
Resolution No. 624 on January 10, 2023.
KEY FACTS AND INFORMATION SUMMARY:
To enhance open government and public agency transparency, Yelm Police Department
implemented a Body Worn Video (BWV) program in 2022. Officers wear body cameras and
capture recordings that are public records subject to the Washington Public Records Act (PRA),
RCW 42.56.
Pursuant to RCW 42.56.240(14)(f), law enforcement agencies are permitted to charge
requestors not exempted under RCW 42.56.240(14)(e) the reasonable costs of redacting videos
including the cost of redaction technology provided it is the least costly commercially available
method prior to disclosure. The Yelm Police Department does not intend to charge requestors
technology costs. The Yelm City Council approved the amount of $ .68 per minute for actual
staff time spent redacting body camera video recordings in Resolution No. 624.
In order to determine the cost of staff time to redact body camera video recordings the Yelm
Police Department analyzed a 2017 Body Worn Video Redaction Cost Study completed by the
Seattle Police Department (SPD), which determined the amount of time it takes to redact such
footage, and multiplied that amount of time by the City of Yelm Police Department
Administrative Assistant staff salaries to determine the "reasonable cost for such redactions".
Seattle PD completed stopwatch style time studies to determine the amount of time it takes to
redact Body Worn Video recordings (see attached). Then they created a cost per minute of
redaction time based on the weighted staff salary costs.
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