Shootings

Encounters where officers discharge their firearms, resulting in injury or death of a suspect or a member of the public.

High-speed pursuits

Instances where police engage in vehicle chases, potentially endangering bystanders and officers.

Hostage situations

Cases where individuals are held against their will, and police are trying to negotiate or resolve the situation safely.

Standoffs

Confrontations where a subject is barricaded or refusing to cooperate with law enforcement.

Use of force incidents

Any situation where police use physical force to apprehend a suspect or maintain control during an encounter.

The video footage recorded during these critical incidents can be from body-worn cameras worn by police officers, dashboard cameras in police vehicles, drone video, or footage captured by witnesses or surveillance cameras in the vicinity. These videos are often subject to public scrutiny and may play a crucial role in understanding the events that transpired during the incident and evaluating the actions of the involved officers.

Due to the sensitive nature of these videos and their potential impact on public perception and investigations, their release and accessibility to the public are regulated by law and departmental policies which vary greatly. Transparency and accountability are vital aspects of managing and handling police critical incident videos.