The use of body cameras has increased dramatically over the past decade, with their safety benefits becoming invaluable for frontline workers across multiple sectors.
The range of applications for body cameras is also ever-increasing. Their deployment boosts personal safety, increases transparency in policing, captures footage for training purposes, and provides evidentially secure footage for retrospective review.
WCCTV, the UK's leading manufacturer of body worn video solutions, below answers some of the most frequently asked questions regarding body cameras to serve as a toolkit for those exploring the potential opportunities they deliver.
What Are Body Cameras?
A body camera (also referred to as a bodycam, body worn camera or body worn video) is a wearable video surveillance unit.
Standard features of a body camera unit include a microphone, rechargeable battery and onboard video storage. Some cameras, including WCCTV's Body Cameras, feature a forward-facing screen to show the subject they are being recorded.
Body cameras can include live video streaming via mobile networks. This allows a remote operator to view a wearer's camera footage in real-time.
How do Body Cameras Differ From Action Cameras?
Although they have similarities to recreational action cameras, professional body cameras are typically differentiated by their security and integrity features, including:
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Date, time and frame stamping
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GPS location tagging
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Video metadata
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Pre-event recording buffers
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Secure Evidence Management Software with full audit trail
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Video encryption
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Password protection
These features allow body camera footage to be submitted as evidence in any criminal cases, with the assurance that the footage has not been tampered with in any way.
How Do Body Cameras Work?
A body camera will usually form one part of a broader solution that includes Evidence Management Software, docking stations to charge multiple units, and an array of accessories to mount the camera to the wearer's body.
Cameras are typically worn on the user's chest, shoulder or helmet, with mounting facilitated by a Klickfast dock built into the wearer's uniform as a standard accessory or appended via a harness, clip or lanyard.
Initiation of video recording is usually effortless. On a WCCTV Body Camera, recording is activated by pressing a single button on the side of the device.
Most body cameras require the user to enter a password on initial bootup to ensure security and data privacy.
Any footage recorded is stored on the camera's internal memory until such a time as it is placed onto the docking station. While stored on the camera, professional-grade body cameras hold the footage in an encrypted format to prevent unauthorised playback or distribution.
Video upload will begin when the cameras are docked at the end of the user's shift. In most cases, the footage will transfer directly from the camera to a cloud server.
However, at WCCTV, we have developed our Smart Hub docking stations to feature their own internal memory. When a WCCTV camera is docked, the footage will immediately transfer from the camera to the Hub.
This allows the cameras to get back into circulation as soon as they are charged, which is particularly beneficial in locations where internet connectivity may be slower.
All footage recorded via body cameras is typically managed through secure Evidence Management Software. This software is often cloud-based but can be a locally installed program.
What Legislation Covers Body Camera Usage?
Although there are no centralised laws and regulations governing the usage of body cameras, a code of practice has been produced by the Surveillance Camera Commissioner and the Information Commissioner.
At WCCTV, we have worked closely with the Home Office to ensure every element of our body worn video solution allows our users to remain compliant with the recommendations of the code of practice.
For policing applications, the College of Policing has produced a document that details the guidelines for the correct and lawful operation of body worn cameras.
For non-policing applications, the Surveillance Camera Commissioner's Code of Practice states:
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Users should wherever possible or practical, announce to the subject(s) that video and audio recording is taking place
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Recordings should be proportionate and incident-led
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Recordings should include all actions from the start of an incident to its conclusion
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All recordings must be securely held with access restricted to only those with an operational requirement
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Retention of footage recorded on a body camera must be in line with prevailing data protection guidelines
Who uses Body Cameras?
Although their usage remains strongly linked with policing due to their early adoption, deployments of body cameras are now commonplace in several sectors.
At WCCTV, we proudly supply our cameras for the following applications amongst several others:
Retail:
Instances of verbal and physical assaults towards retail workers have been steadily increasing both leading up to and during the pandemic.
Statistics from the BRC revealed that 455 verbal or physical assaults towards retail staff occur every day, and 83% of all retail workers have experienced verbal abuse at work.
WCCTV's body cameras protect staff across the UK's largest supermarket and retail chains, helping reduce crime, secure prosecutions and improve mental and physical wellbeing.
Local Authorities:
Recent statistics revealed that 84% of Civil Enforcement Officers had suffered verbal abuse every month, with 54% of local authorities encountering difficulties in retaining staff due to the challenging conditions.
The proportionate use of WCCTV's body worn cameras has provided a level of safety, reassurance and evidence gathering for local authority workers.
Health Care:
Frontline health care staff are amongst some of the most vulnerable workers. Although they provide critical services on which we all rely, they are face-to-face with members of the public who may be scared, frustrated, and emotionally charged, which can lead to violence and confrontation.
WCCTV's body cameras are deployed at NHS trusts and Hospitals across the UK. They are actively enhancing the safety and security of ward-based staff and security teams subjected to unacceptable levels of abuse.
Rail:
Rail staff are increasingly subjected to unacceptable levels of verbal and physical abuse.
Recent figures revealed that three out of four transport workers had been the victims of verbal abuse, with 359 workers reporting physical assaults in the last 12 months.
WCCTV's body cameras support rail operating companies and the public they serve, by enhancing the overall safety profile of journeys.
What are the Key Benefits of Body Cameras
Body cameras have become an essential part of the safety toolkit for frontline workers, and with good reason. The key benefits they provide include:
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Reduction in complaints and false allegations: the video evidence captured by a body camera can quickly settle any 'he said, she said' situations
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Deescalation of aggressive situations: a body camera is a deterrent to acts of violence and aggression. When subjects are aware that they are being recorded, their behaviour improves. WCCTV cameras don't just tell subjects they are being recorded; they show them.
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Video evidence to support prosecutions: the secure evidential footage captured by WCCTV's body cameras has been instrumental in securing criminal prosecutions.
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Retrospective training and analysis opportunities: understanding how a situation has occurred is the best way to prevent it from happening again. Body camera footage is vital for learning how to manage tense situations and where previous encounters could have been handled differently.
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Improved staff confidence: knowing that a body camera will either help deescalate a threatening situation or secure a future prosecution will improve your teams' morale and positively impact how they approach situations.
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Increased transparency in all situations: body cameras provide a highly accurate account of how any situation has played out; they are the ultimate eye-witness.
Put a Body Camera on the Test
Still unsure if a body camera is suitable for your applications? Why not put them to the test?
WCCTV is happy to provide a demonstration or extended trials of its body camera solution. Complete a quick contact form by clicking the link below, and we will be in touch.
