Why Use Body Cams?

Body cams are often used by people likely to encounter confrontational situations to record interactions in real time, providing objective and unbiased evidence of events that have occurred. Examples of this include the police, parking wardens and private security firms, all of whom have a responsibility to their personnel to keep them safe and to gather evidence of wrongdoing.

Body worn cameras are becoming increasingly affordable. This means their utility is stretching into other fields of use, ranging from professional Vloggers who want to record their line of sight for entertainment purposes through to healthcare professionals, retail establishments and education workers who need to bolster security, safety and accountability in their operating environments.

At their core, body cameras serve three main purposes:

1. They capture reliable video and audio footage in real time, usually time and date stamped.
2. They promote transparency between wearers and the people they interact with.
3. They can enhance accountability by encouraging both the wearer and the people they interact with to behave in an appropriate manner.

Why Businesses Need Body Cams

Body worn cameras fulfil a vital function for the police and security services. By wearing them at all times, members of the public can be reassured that their interactions with law enforcement professionals are documented fairly. From the law enforcer’s perspective, wearing a body cam has been shown to reduce the likelihood of aggressive behaviour from those they encounter.

Reducing unwanted behaviours is cited as a reason why the use of body cams is extending into other business sectors, such as healthcare, retail and education. Receptionists at health facilities have, for too long, had to deal with stressed and frustrated members of the public who often vent their frustrations on them. Wearing body cameras means that these outbursts can be recorded, and appropriate action can be taken should a verbal assault turn physical. Likewise, teaching staff working in schools or colleges with disciplinary issues may wish to wear body cams for their own safety.

The video and audio footage recorded by body cameras is admissible in court, provided that the body cam was on clear display at the time that the incident occurred. Therefore, many professionals feel reassured that wearing a body cam at all times and advising people engaging in confrontational behaviour of its presence tends to de-escalate conflict and provides evidence in the instances where it does not.

Body cams can also ensure compliance with procedures by providing evidence of events and incidents in which one party believes they have been unfairly treated or that stated processes have been breached. Because video and audio footage is unbiased, it can be used to document these instances, improving outcomes and highlighting where additional training is required to remain compliant.

Features to Look For in Body Worn Cameras

Whether buying body cameras for the first time or upgrading your existing set, you need to select the right type of camera, based on your industry, budget and any specific needs that you have. Some of the most important features to consider are:

Resolution:
If clear, crisp recordings are your overriding priority, then you need a camera with a resolution of at least 1080p. Anything less and your video quality could be compromised.

Lens:
A wide angle lens will capture a greater proportion of the environment, providing greater context of your wearer’s interactions with the public and could prove beneficial if the footage is required as evidence.

Night vision:
If your wearer will be required to work in dim conditions or outdoors after dark, choosing body cameras with high quality night vision features will enhance usability and deliver improved performance.

Durability:
The vast majority of body worn cameras are ruggedised and weatherproof, allowing them to be used year round in inclement weather conditions or high humidity without compromising the quality of the footage they record.

Battery life:
The camera’s battery life must be greater than the longest duration for which it will be continuously used to ensure that it does not cut out mid-use, rendering the footage incomplete or inadmissible.

Data storage:
You will need to decide whether it is sufficient for your body cam footage to be recorded onto a mounted SD card or whether it needs to be automatically encrypted and uploaded to a secure cloud storage area to keep it safe from tampering and accidental overwriting. Some body cams do not record footage directly but instead deliver a continuous live stream, which is only of use if the live stream is constantly monitored.

User friendly interface:
The camera that you choose should be easy for your wearers to operate, even in high-stress situations. It should feature one-touch recording and intuitive controls, both for operating it as well as for charging it and uploading its footage.

Important Points to Consider

Although body worn cameras are invaluable in a range of different operating environments, delivering significant safety and security enhancements, there are some considerations and regulations that you must adhere to before you roll them out to your workforce.

Privacy:
You must clearly articulate the purpose of the recording and use it only for that defined purpose, particularly when dealing with vulnerable members of society, such as minors, those living with disabilities, or in private dwellings. Video footage must be protected and handled in accordance with GDPR regulations.

Cost:
Body cams are available at a range of price points, making them an affordable option for a vast array of business sectors, however you should also factor in the cost of training operators, maintaining the equipment and storing the data.

Policies:
Your business will need to define its policies with regard to using and capturing data with body worn cameras. These policies must be transparent and available on request. They must detail when recording is needed, how the footage will be stored, for how long and who will be allowed to access it and under what circumstances.

In conclusion

The role of body worn cameras is growing in popularity, and the video and audio footage they provide can make the difference between a successful case, or one which is compromised by bias or a lack of independent witnesses. To discuss your needs and identify a suitable body camera solution for your business, please speak to the experts at NRC Radio today. With over 35 years’ experience in this sector, we can help you achieve your objectives, delivering clarity and performance at an affordable price.