HomeMy WebLinkAboutP 047 FAC - Video Surveillance
-1- P.047.FAC
POLICY P.047.FAC
TITLE: VIDEO SURVEILLANCE
Date Issued: June 2007
Last Revised:
Authorization: Board: 26 June 2007
1.0 OBJECTIVE
To ensure that the use of video surveillance equipment in schools or on Board property
supports the safety, security, and well being of students and staff and safeguards against
vandalism, theft, damage, and loss of property and complies with the Municipal Freedom of
Information and Protection of Privacy Act (“Act”) and the Guidelines for Video Surveillance
Cameras in Schools issued by the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario
(December, 2003, and as updated from time to time).
2.0 DEFINITIONS
In this policy,
2.1 Board property includes school buildings, grounds, and facilities under the jurisdiction
of the Board.
2.2 Video surveillance equipment refers to a video, physical or other mechanical,
electronic, or digital surveillance system or device that enables continuous or periodic
video recording, observing, monitoring of individuals in school buildings and on school
premises.
2.3 Personal information is defined as being recorded information about an identifiable
individual, which includes, but is not limited to, information relating to an individual’s
race, colour, national or ethnic origin, sex and age.
2.4 Covert surveillance is defined as the secret, continuous or periodic observations of
persons, vehicles, places, or objects to obtain information concerning the activities of
individuals which is then recorded in material form, including notes and photographs.
3.0 POLICY
3.1 The Board has a responsibility to protect and safeguard the well-being of students, staff,
volunteers and community members while at school or work or while engaged in school-
related activities.
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3.2 Video surveillance is to be used to accomplish three important goals in the OCDSB :
a) To enhance the safety of students, staff and all school community members.
b) To protect Board property against theft and vandalism.
c) To assist in the identification of intruders.
3.3 The Board recognizes both the legal obligation to provide appropriate levels of
supervision in the interests of student safety and the fact that students have privacy
rights that are reduced but not eliminated while the students are under the supervision
of the school.
3.4 The Board shall provide authorization for the use and control of video surveillance
equipment on Board property, both exterior and interior, where circumstances have
shown that it is necessary and the benefits outweigh the impact on the privacy of those
observed.
3.5 Video surveillance shall be considered for a school only after other means of deterrence
have been shown to be ineffective.
3.6 Staff, students, parents, and the school council shall be consulted on the use of
cameras on school property.
3.7 Information obtained from video surveillance equipment shall only be used for the
protection of students, staff, and the public or in assisting in the detection and
deterrence of criminal activity and vandalism.
3.8 Video surveillance shall not be used for the purpose of monitoring staff performing their
assigned duties.
3.9 The Freedom of Information and Privacy Coordinator shall be responsible for the
Board’s compliance with the Board’s privacy obligations under the Act and this policy.
3.10 Each site/school using video surveillance equipment must follow, as outlined in
Procedure PR.615.FAC, a process to respond appropriately to any breach of privacy or
any inadvertent disclosures of personal information.
3.11 Employees shall be subject to discipline for knowingly or deliberately breaching the
policy or provisions of the Act or other relevant statutes.
3.12 Use of surveillance cameras by school bus operators and other service contractors shall
be subject to this policy.
3.13 Service providers shall be subject to penalties leading up to and including contract
termination for knowingly or deliberately breaching the policy or provision of the Act or
other relevant statutes.
3.14 The only personnel who may view the videotapes or digital files in the schools are the
principals, and their designates, the Security Coordinator, the Police Services, or other
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OCDSB staff where necessary in the performance of their duties and only for the
purposes as outlined in 3.2 above.
3.15 A review and assessment, of the video surveillance program, to ascertain whether the
program is still justified, shall be carried out at each school by the Security Coordinator
and the principal at least once every three years.
3.16 Covert surveillance has the potential of being highly privacy invasi ve and must only be
used as a last resort in a time limited, case specific circumstance.
3.17 Where applicable and appropriate, the policy and procedure shall be incorporated into
training and orientation programs of the Board and service providers.
4.0 SPECIFIC DIRECTIVES
4.1 The Director of Education is authorized to issue such procedures as may be necessary
to implement this policy.
5.0 REFERENCE DOCUMENTS
The Education Act, 2000, 315(1)
Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 1989
Guidelines for Using Video Surveillance Cameras in Schools, 2003
Guidelines for Government Organizations: What to do if a privacy breach occurs, 2006
Board Policy P.101.FAC: Building Security and Safety
Board Policy P.106.SCO: Access to School/Board Premises
Board Policy P.032.SCO: Safe Schools
Board Policy P.060.FIN: Vandalism, Theft, Damage or Loss to Board Property
Board Procedure PR.615.FAC: Video Surveillance
Board Procedure PR.521.SCO: Safe Schools
Board Procedure PR.522.FIN: Vandalism, Theft, Damage or Loss to Board Property
Board Procedure PR.524.SCO: Access to School/Board Premises
Board Procedure PR.533.SCO: Police Involvement in Schools