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Body-Worn Cameras for Law Enforcement Offi cers
Caution while blazing a trail
Though the public and the media are demanding body-worn cameras (BWC) for law enforcement offi cers, there is little empirical data to back up the
supposed benefi ts of a BWC program. The few studies that have been conducted so far have signifi cant limitations. However, it seems that BWCs are here to stay, like other tech- nological advances such as in-car cameras and Tasers. Because this is such a relatively new area of technology with mostly an- ecdotal support for its claims, agencies who implement a BWC program will be blazing a trail for others to follow. While an agency could load up its wagons and head the en- tire organization directly into the technological wilderness of BWC programs, there is a wiser choice. Nominate some trail- blazers. Send them ahead to scout the route, fi nd resources, and note potential dangers. When they return, they can lead the wagon train safely through the wilderness. Who should these trailblazers be? They could be adminis- trators, members of management, offi cers from a variety of divisions, fi nance staff, technical staff, or all of the above. The agency may also wish to invite someone from the State At- torney’s offi ce, the agency’s General Counsel, or a local com- munity representative.
Scouting the Route Implementing a program without defi ning its purpose would be a waste of time and money, opening the agency to expensive lawsuits, and creating problems with the public. The trailblazers should decide which purposes best suit the agency, its offi - cers and staff, and the public it serves. Those purposes will then determine the route the agency will follow to implementation. After the trailblazers have defined a purpose for the BWC program, they must identify the resources which would best ac- complish that purpose and which would best suit the agency’s budget. First, which com- pany offers the best products? There are at least 20 different companies offering BWCs and related devices. Trailblazers should choose a reputable company that has a good return policy, reliable technical support, and a menu of services but that does not force the agency into a long-term contract.
58 LAW and ORDER I June 2015 By Leonard Dietzen, III
Second, which camera has the hardware specifi cations the agency requires? The cost of the cameras is an obvious con- sideration as is the position in which the camera will be worn. There are many styles: lapel, glasses, headband and chest. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. What about bat- tery life and the recording limit of the device? Is camera focal width important?
What should the quality of the video be? Should an agency choose cameras that have the best night vision? Will the BWCs integrate with the agency’s radio system? How is the video transmitted from the camera to the storage system? The trailblazers should examine the pros and cons of the different BWC and systems available. They may order two or three different types and have a few volunteers (perhaps some of the trailblazers themselves) ‘test drive’ the cameras for a set period of time. This will allow the trailblazers to assess not only the equipment, but also the vendor’s other services and technical support.
Third, what other systems or services does that company offer? What kind of warranty does the company offer? How accessible is its tech support? How good are its technicians? Do the cameras record metadata? Do they record GPS infor- mation? Does the company offer automatic transfer of video data or cloud storage? How secure is that transfer/storage system? Is the access to that system restricted? Does the sys- tem record the name of each person who has had access to the data? The trailblazers should choose the one which most closely supports the purposes they chose for the agency’s BWC program.
Noting Potential Dangers After the trailblazers have selected the equip- ment and services they will recommend to the agency, they must develop policies, cre- ate a training program, familiarize the public with BWCs, and institute a program review system. The trailblazers will have noted many potential issues, which will affect the agency’s BWC program.
First, privacy. Many states have laws that allow recording of video in public places without consent, but audio recordings gen- erally require the consent of both parties. In
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