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A Guide to Using Body Cameras

Best Practise for capturing reliable footage

Three Key Features of Body Cameras

Body Cameras are mostly used to capture footage intended for use as evidence in court cases and prosecutions, should the need ever arise. For this reason, professional body cameras provide the following features to ensure that not only is the footage captured accurate, but that only authorised personnel have access to this footage. This prevents body camera footage from being tampered with or deleted by the user or another individual.

Date & Time Stamp

Exact date and time information is recorded and displayed to prove the exact time and date that events took place. This also makes altering footage incredibly difficult. 

GPS Tagging

Most professional body cameras include a GPS tagging feature, where coordinates are recorded and can be securely accessed to prove the location of recorded footage.

Secure Management

Devices can be PIN locked and encrypted to prevent unauthorised access. Role-based permissions can be set to ensure only authorised personnel have access. 

What to Consider When Implementing a Body Worn Video System

As the administrator of a Body Camera System, you are automatically assigned the role of 'data controller'. To comply with regulations and to ensure that your footage can be used effectively as evidence, it is important to pay careful consideration to how the footage is captured and processed. Here is a brief overview of what you might want to consider when implementing a Body Camera Solution...

Role-based Access

Make sure that only authorised personnel have control over the footage. Role-based permissions allow you to define what parts of the system certain users have control over to prevent mishandling of data.

Record Whats Relevant

Not everyone expects to be recorded. Body cameras should ideally only be activated to capture events that may become relevant to report incidents or to aid in prosecutions. 

Announce or Advertise Use

It is also best practise to announce or advertise the use of body cameras in a certain environment. Not only does this protect personal liability, it can also act as a deterrent for antisocial behaviour. 

Secure Storage 

Once you have captured the footage, you will need to decide on a secure storage solution to prevent unauthorised access from the stored video footage. 

Length of Storage

Stored footage should only be held for a certain time frame, if it is not required for other purposes. Not only is it best practise to delete older, unneeded footage, it also frees up space.

When in Doubt...

Ask the experts. BodyCamera.co.uk can not only supply secure, GDPR compliant equipment but can help you remain complaint in its use. Call today on 0121 456 7800 to learn more...

Contact a Body Camera Specialist

Get the very best, unbiased advice and support from the BodyCamera.co.uk product specialists. Looking for a body worn video system? Enquire today to discuss your requirements with a member of the team.