The ability to obtain detailed information from digital multimedia evidence has tremendous potential to assist investigations and provide transparency to the public. The Video Management Unit was created to ensure that digital evidence is appropriately handled and processed. 

Police Investigators are responsible for sending their own digital case file information to the City, County and State Prosecutors regarding their assigned case. If no investigator is assigned to a SPPD case the VMU will assist in sending the digital case files.  

VMU personnel are trained in data practices and will complete department requests for redactions related to data requests for electronic digital media.

VMU will complete all request to the general public to include non-criminal case attorneys.

Any internal request to retrieve surveillance/security videos from a scene will be made by completing a Video Request Log. All requests will be prioritized on an individualized basis taking into consideration the nature of the event, known retention time of the evidence, and case load.  No requests for immediate processing of digital multimedia evidence will be honored unless the circumstances indicate there is an immediate threat to the public or officers. All request will be fulfilled as soon as reasonably possible.

As a general guideline all digital evidence, submitted for processing, will be considered originals. All evidence will adhere to chain of custody and the SPPD guidelines for evidence and retention policies.  

Digital evidence projects will be retained in the appropriate evidence storage facility as determined by the Department. All evidence will have the proper case numbers and an audit trail with a RMS report written on the completed work. No evidence projects will be allowed outside of the Video Management Unit without proper authorization. 

Established May 4, 2018

Last Edited: June 29, 2018