Can Body-Worn Cameras Make a Difference in the Security Industry?

Body-worn CCTV camera technology is a relatively new tool compared to other equipment security professionals have in their arsenal. While many high-ranking police officers and entertainment venue owners question the efficacy of body-worn solutions, the question remains that if it is worth spending thousands of pounds on a CCTV surveillance system. It’s hard to invest in such systems without knowing to what degree they improve the interactions between the security personnel and the public.

However, multiple studies led by reputable scientists that show body-worn cameras are extremely useful in protecting the security personnel involved in a physical conflict with a member of the public. Not only a body-cam acts a visual deterrent during these confrontations, but these video recorders also capture critically important footage that can be used as irrefutable evidence in case the situation escalates.

How are effective body-worn cameras?

There are several reasons why body-worn cameras so effective in conflict resolution and deescalating situations before they get out of hand. Other than protecting law enforcement officers and security personnel from frivolous complaints and false claims, body-worn video cameras also encourage employees to respond to an incident appropriately and perform their duties as necessary. This alone makes body-cams more effective than any other tools and devices in the security industry. Similar to personal GPS trackers designed for lone workers, the rugged design of body-worn cameras allow them to withstand the harsh work environments of security employees and their wide-angle camera ensures that everything in front of the user is captured on the video with the push of a single button.

Is it too costly to transition to a body-worn CCTV camera surveillance system?

According to research by the Cambridge University, the cost to benefit ratio of using body-worn videos is 4 to 1 which means for every dollar spent on these systems saves the police about $4 in complaint litigations. Considering the advancements in the video camera technology, and the dramatic reduction in camera costs over the last years, the cost to benefit ratio is even higher today, which makes body-worn video systems not costly at all. Integrating body-worn camera technology into their systems saves law enforcement agencies, establishment owners, hospitals and other similar businesses billions in settlements that would otherwise be spent on court cases and complaints.

How can businesses and police stations manage the vast amount of video data every day?

Even with the developments in the data storage technology over the years, managing vast amounts of video data recorded by body-worn cameras is a challenging task. However, body-worn video technology is designed to handle these challenges with portable charging stations, evidence management docks and digital management software. Multiple body-worn cameras can be attached to docking stations to charge and download the recorded data simultaneously. Multi-way docking stations provide a convenient way to view and secure videos on-site while charging the devices. Docking and charging stations are excellent tools to manage video and audio recordings. Still, for police stations and entertainment venues, the process is even easier with digital management software and a computer. Commanding officers and authorised personnel can simply connect the video recorders to the computer, backup the videos and clean the disk space. Regardless of the size or the quality of the videos on the device, all files can be organised and tagged to make them easier to identify within a short amount of time.

Can body-worn camera footage be used as evidence?

All recorded footage by body-worn cameras is stamped with a date, time and GPS location(if available) to protect the integrity of the videos. Digital management software prevents anyone without the proper authorisation to access the videos and tamper with them. Authorised personnel is always in charge of the backup process as well as the user privileges to ensure the chain of custody is never broken. Body-worn camera footage helps secure convictions all over the world by providing encrypted tamper-proof video and audio evidence. It is also critical in determining the outcome of complaints against security personnel and bodyguards without ever reaching the courtroom. Having on-demand access to secure footage protects the wearer of a body-worn camera against false allegations and provides admissible proof that can be used as evidence in any court case.

Body-worn camera systems have been critical in reducing the number of complaints made against the police and all types of security personnel by the public. Body-cams visibly change the behaviour of both the public and the officers wearing the cameras and cool down potentially volatile encounters before they even begin. Based on the scientific researches and studies over the last few years, it is safe to say that body-worn camera systems are proven to be one the most effective devices that improve the working conditions of security personnel and law enforcement officers. Rewire Security offers durable and easy-to-use body-worn cameras for poliçe officers and security guards; these small but effective devices are a proven deterrent and effective solution against the growing number of physical altercations between security personnel and the public.

https://www.rewiresecurity.co.uk