LEVA to host surveillance policy discussion during Annual Training Conference

UK CCTV expert Deputy Chief Constable Graeme Gerrard to deliver keynote address

The Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Video Association (LEVA) will host a national-level policy discussion on the expansion of public video surveillance during its 20th Anniversary Training Conference in November. The programme will include a keynote address from Deputy Chief Constable Graeme Gerrard of Cheshire Constabulary, who is considered the U.K.'s leading police authority on CCTV.

LEVA's 20th Anniversary Training Conference will be held in Nov. 18-20 in Forth Worth, Tex., at the Fort Worth Hilton. "Public Video Surveillance: CCTV Policy and Operations for Public Safety" will be an all-day event on Nov. 18. In addition, the exhibit hall will be open Nov. 18-19, and pre-conference workshops run Nov. 15-17.

In the last few years, the threat of terrorism has outweighed privacy concerns in the United States. As a result, an unprecedented amount of public monies have been funnelled to CCTV surveillance systems. Gerrard recognises the critical role video cameras play in the security of his country, but he expects legislation may soon limit future camera deployments as politicians look to strengthen privacy rights.

The symposium will explore a number of important topics for law enforcement video practitioners, including the justification of public video surveillance

"Constable Gerrard brings a unique and important perspective to the public video surveillance debate," said Alan Salmon, LEVA President and Forensic Video Analyst/Special Investigator for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. "In the U.S., we continue to invest heavily in video surveillance at all levels of government. However, there may come a time where the public's concern over privacy could result in restrictive legislation that limits the use and effectiveness of CCTV technology."

The symposium will explore a number of important topics for law enforcement video practitioners, including the justification of public video surveillance and the protection of CCTV system investments. Panel members representing police chiefs, privacy advocates, video surveillance specialists, and government leaders will discuss the need for a federal policy and specific laws to protect both privacy rights and the police authority to use camera technology to monitor public places.

In the last few years, the threat of terrorism has outweighed privacy concerns in the United States

"Public Video Surveillance: CCTV Policy and Operations for Public Safety" will be part of the conference's three-day Video Evidence Symposium. Many Video Evidence Symposium sessions and all pre-conference workshops and can help attendees earn hours toward LEVA forensic video analyst certification. A Video Production track will also be offered as part of the main conference sessions. For travel information, including discounted lodging rates for LEVA attendees at the Fort Worth Hilton (when booked by Oct. 15), as well as the most current conference schedule, visit www.leva.org.