Your guide to Body Worn Cameras

Body cameras also known as Body-worn cameras (bwc’s) have become a powerful tool for enhancing safety and accountability in a variety of professions. From law enforcement officers to social workers and the general public these versatile devices are capturing critical moments enhancing accountability across the board and fostering trust. But with so many options available, choosing the right body camera and using it responsibly can be harder that you would imagine. This guide will hopefully equip you with the knowledge to successfully navigate both!

Safe and Responsible Body Camera Use:

• Who can wear a body camera? The simple answer is anyone over the age of 18 can buy a body worn camera. There are no specific restrictions on who can purchase a BWC in the UK, as they are readily available from to purchase online at Police Supplies and other retailers.
• Know your local laws: Recording regulations can vary by country and location. It's important you familiarize yourself with consent requirements and privacy expectations in your locality, an example of this would be GDPR legislation in Europe.
• Transparency is key: Always inform people you're recording whenever possible. This is often achieved by wearing additional badging such as our BD68 Video and Audio recording badge.
• Secure your footage: Encryption protects sensitive data even if the camera is lost or stolen. This isn’t essential for everyone but you can easily look for body cameras with built-in encryption capabilities.
• Clear data storage policies: To avoid evidence tampering, restrict access to recordings to authorized personnel only. Implement password protection on both your camera and any secure storage systems.
• Secure your footage: Depending on how you are using your camera you may need to establish a plan for footage storage duration and secure disposal. Policies should comply with local regulations and data privacy best practices.

Which body camera should I choose?

There's almost an unlimited amount of options online when looking at body cameras, now that you understand safe use practices surrounding body cameras, let's explore some key features to consider when selecting a body worn video camera:

• Video quality: High resolution (HD or higher) is crucial for capturing clear details, especially in low-light conditions. Look for night vision or low-light enhancement features for better nighttime performance.
• Battery Life: Choose a battery life that matches your typical usage. Consider models with extended battery packs or external charging options for longer deployments. Manufacturers will often quote a different battery life depending on camera resolution. Some such as the Protec X4K1 body camera even include additional batteries for when you’re on the go.
• Storage capacity: Cameras typically start at 16gb and upwards, higher quality video will take up far more space when recording so Select a camera with enough storage for your recording needs. Alternatively, look for expandable storage options via SD cards if needed.
• Durability: A body camera needs to be tough. Consider features like weatherproofing, shock resistance, and dustproofing. Security and Policing can be a tough job it’s important to select a camera that will stand up to the same tough situations as you.
• Audio recording: Audio is usually less of a focus when it comes to cameras but it's important to remember that clear audio can provide crucial context to video footage. Ensure the camera has a good quality microphone.
• Field of view: A wider field of view captures a broader scene, providing better situational awareness, although this will come at additional cost so consider carefully if this is of importance to you.
• Ease of use: A user-friendly interface with intuitive controls is essential for quick operation, especially in stressful situations. Some cameras like the Protec X6B body camera include one-button recording or voice activation for ease of use.
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity allows for easy transfer of footage to smartphones or computers for review and storage. Mentioning compatible apps or software for footage management can add value.
• Operating system: Not all cameras work on all operating systems such as windows, mac or linux. It's important to carefully read any specification to determine if a camera will be compatible with your existing computer systems.

Considerations for Professionals Purchasing or Deploying Body Cameras:

In addition to choosing the right camera with suitable features, there are some crucial considerations for professionals and organizations deploying body cameras:

• Video quality: High resolution (HD or higher) is crucial for capturing clear details, especially in low-light conditions. Look for night vision or low-light enhancement features for better night time performance. Typically higher resolution is better but be aware that the higher the resolution the more storage a video clip will need to be saved. You may need to compromise between resolution and storage.
• Policy Development: Develop clear and comprehensive policies for body camera use. These policies should address recording protocols, data storage procedures, access restrictions, and footage review processes.
• User training: Provide comprehensive training for all personnel using body cameras. Training should cover proper camera operation, recording protocols, legal considerations, data security practices, and best practices for interacting with the public while wearing a body camera.
• Transparency and user engagement: Open communication with the community is essential. Inform the public about body camera use policies and how footage is used. Consider hosting community meetings or Q&A sessions to address concerns.
• Budget and cost considerations: Factor in the initial cost of body cameras, ongoing data storage fees, and potential software costs for footage management. Consider budgeting for replacement cameras and accessories as needed.
• Technical infrastructure: Ensure your organization has the technical infrastructure to support body camera use. This may include secure storage solutions, data management software, and compatible devices

Empowering Different Professions:

Body cameras offer distinct advantages in various fields including but not limited to:

Police: Police Officers widely use body worn cameras to record interactions with the public. They provide transparency and accountability in policing, helping to prevent misconduct and ensure fair treatment.

Healthcare: Healthcare professionals, such as nurses, doctors, and heathcare workers can sometimes use BWCs to document patient care and interactions. This can help improve patient safety, communication, and provides legal protection for both the patient and staff.

Security: Security guards and private investigators use body worn cameras to monitor and protect people and property. They provide evidence in case of incidents and provide a strong deterrent against crime.

Local government: Local government employees, such as parking enforcement officers and building inspectors, use body worn cameras s to record interactions with community citizens and document infractions. This can enhance transparency, accountability and public trust.

Retail Workers: Body worn cameras are now a popular piece of equipment for retail stores in the UK. Data released by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) paints a grim picture of the escalating violence and abuse faced by retail workers. According to the report, there has been a significant increase in both verbal and physical assaults on retail staff. The BRC's findings reveal that: An alarming 445 verbal or physical assaults occur towards retail staff every day. 83% of all retail workers have experienced verbal abuse at work. Physical assaults have increased by 16% in the past year, with one in every 15 victims requiring medical attention.

What is the best body worn camera?

There is no easy answer to the “best body camera” brand but the more expensive models used by the police tend to have higher prestige attached to them. One such brand widely used is Pinnacle Response, their range of Body Worn Cameras are currently used in over 30 countries around the world by thousands of professionals. This includes UK and European Police, local authorities, and professional security within many respected organisations and businesses.

Due to their DEMS encrypted storage and data management, high-quality video and audio recording capabilities, as well as their durability and ease of use. The cameras are designed to withstand harsh environments and can be used in a variety of settings, from busy city streets to remote rural areas.

The PROTEC range of body worn cameras offer exceptional performance at an affordable price. Protec's body worn cameras are carefully engineered to deliver exceptional performance with ease of use without breaking the bank.

Compared to premium brands, Protec cameras offer similar capabilities at a fraction of the cost. This makes them an accessible option for organisations and individuals with limited budgets. The Protec X4K1 1512p 32GB Body Worn Camera and Protec X6B 1440P 32GB Body Camera with GPS + WiFi have both become the popular models of choice for many due to the appealing price, high specification and accessories available to accompany the devices. Protec empowers security professionals and police forces to enhance transparency, accountability, and operational efficiency

Explore Body Cameras and Accessories at Police Supplies:

We offer a wide range of body cameras and accessories to suit your specific needs. Here are some of our featured products:

• Plug and Play cameras: Plug and play cameras such as the Protec X4K1, X6B body cameras along with the entry level versions of the Pinnacle Response PR7 Lite are just that, plug them in and go. With no dedicated software necessary they’re some of the easiest body cameras to get up and running and with simple password protection on the camera, they’re perfect for individuals or small teams. The only drawback to plug and play options is that for larger organizations with multiple cameras in use, data management and a lack of additional layers of security can be issues.
• Professional Cameras: For larger teams and organizations it’s essential that data and deployment of cameras is managed properly. To achieve this brands such as Pinnacle Response will often employ dedicated software such as their DEMS platform, for an additional ongoing fee this offers additional encryption, safe cloud storage and a dedicated platform to manage all of your cameras and the footage contained within. This is an amazing tool when used in large organizations but with the additional cost and layer of complication it is often overkill for small teams and individuals.
• Body Camera Accessories: The primary purpose of a BWC is to capture footage. A loose or unstable mount can lead to blurry footage, missed crucial moments, or even the camera detaching entirely. If your camera is compatible with Klickfast, a click fast mount such as the Peter Jones Klickfast Anti tilt dock is by far the simples and most versatile solution. Klickfasts unique locking system ensures the BWC remains safe, secure and attached providing clear and reliable footage for when it's needed most.
• Body Worn Camera Harnesses :Using a dedicated harness for your BWC distributes the weight of the camera evenly across your chest, minimising swaying and camera movement, resulting in clearer, steadier footage, while also providing enhanced comfort and allowing you a full range of motion. Police Supplies has one of the most extensive and varied ranges of body worn camera harnesses available in the UK. Made to cater for individuals or businesses looking to enhance the professional look of their teams. Check out the Protec range of body camera harnesses today to find a harness that best suits you.

Conclusion

Body cameras are a valuable tool for promoting safety, fostering trust, and capturing crucial moments across various professions. By understanding safe use practices and considering the features that best suit your needs, you can choose a body camera that empowers you to do your job effectively.

Want to know more?

Have we missed something? Would you like to discuss your needs with us? Contact Police Supplies and speak to our knowledgeable and experienced team. Whether you require your body camera for work or personal use, we can assist you in making the correct decision when choosing the correct body worn camera for you.

Email:[email protected] Tel:+44(0)151 548 0144