What Is The Purpose Of A Body Worn Camera in Security?
Blog: What Is The Purpose Of A Body Worn Camera in Security? Published: 17/08/2022
What Is The Purpose Of A Body Worn Camera in Security?
Body worn cameras have multiple security functions in both the public and the private sector – not just the police. In this article, we explore the purpose of these cameras and explain how they help improve security in business premises and on the streets.
Common uses of body worn cameras
Body-worn cameras can be used in any setting where it’s paramount to deter anti-social behaviour and crime – or to safeguard personnel against accusations of misconduct. Nowadays, it’s not uncommon to see these cameras worn by door teams in nightclubs, bars, pubs, hotels, retail venues, schools, hospitals, the home care sector, and even in manufacturing or in public transport.
For example, Transport for London staff use these cameras to help enforce fares and to improve their ability to respond to security incidents quickly. Emergency sector staff, such as ambulance crews, have also started using these cameras following a rise in assaults and violence against staff on call outs to people’s homes.
Body cameras on police officers
UK police were the first organisation to adopt the use of body worn cameras for front line officers back in 2005. Since that year, more than 26,500 devices have been distributed to Metropolitan Police officers in London, which means that 80% of the Met taskforce now uses these cameras.
Body worn cameras can improve security levels in public areas and protect officers, as well as improve the public perception of police accountability. The Met Police has explained the guidelines their officers use when working with these cameras, which also explains how they’re useful in deterring crime.
First, cameras are always worn visibly to the public, as officers usually wear them pinned to their chests. This issues a non-verbal warning to any would-be criminal, and acts as a deterrent even if the cameras aren’t recording as part of patrolling.
Secondly, the cameras can record video and audio, so they provide factual evidence of any incident that is later challenged in court. Footage is stored in the camera and uploaded to a secure server once the shift is over, where it’s stored for 31 days and automatically deleted at the end of that period, unless required in court proceedings.
Another purpose of these cameras is to increase transparency during arrests, stop-and-search incidents, or other situations where police interact with the public, like responding to a domestic abuse report, searching a property, or stopping a car.
Equipping the police with these cameras has also resulted in a reduction in the use of force and fewer complaints against officers, which in some cases have declined by 90%. Looking at these figures, we can say that body worn cameras offer benefits for both the wearer and the people they interact with.
Body-worn cameras outside of the police
Body worn cameras can fulfil their purpose of improving security and deterring crime in a wide range of applications. This doesn’t only apply to policing, but to any setting where it’s crucial to have a comprehensive safety set up to perform more accurate situation assessments and reduce the risks of criminal activity and anti-social behaviour.
DTS Solutions: The experts in body camera security
Since 1988, at DTS Solutions we’ve been helping businesses in a variety of sectors use camera technology to achieve better security levels. This includes a selection of body worn cameras that can be integrated with your existing on-site security systems and devices to give your premises the highest level of protection.
For more information, we invite you to download our guide to body-worn cameras.