From the blog

Things to Consider When Purchasing Body-Worn Cameras

Cops embrace body-worn cameras like never before, unlike in the past when everyone was sceptical and didn’t want to be busted giving their family and friends a ride while on patrol. Things change and they change for the better, today every law enforcer demands to wear a body cam before embarking on their daily duties. Reasons for wanting to wear body-worn cameras are obvious, they will protect them against false claims of police brutality.

Procurement officers have a difficult task outlining the specs of cameras to order for the peacekeepers. But here are some tips that will guide them to procure quality body-worn cameras that meet the standards.

  • POV

The point of view of a body-worn camera matters because it will determine how wide the camera will cover when worn. Another factor that matters from that point of view is the camera placement. Where you place the camera determines the point of view or coverage. It should be considered that body-worn cameras placed right at the middle of the chest are prone to footage errors because any scuffle between the law enforcer and the offender might turn the point of view to the ground. Areas considered appropriate to place body-worn cameras include; sunglasses’ ear paddle, or the uniform’s epaulette to follow the line of sight for the law enforcer.

  • Size and comfort

The lighter the device the better and more comfortable for the law enforcers to wear them all day. Try to find the balance between the weight and the size of the device and of course the durability. And you should not concentrate on weight so much that you compromise on the durability of the device.

  • Reliability

As stated earlier, reliability and durability go hand in hand, and being rugged sometimes means more weight. Again there is the risk of the device not being used because of weight, so carefully striking a balance between reliability and size is pretty important.

  • How easy to use

Naturally, body-worn cameras have simple on and off operability, but that is not all. All things should take the least time possible at the station for the officer to download, label, and store in the data inventory for reference. If this whole process takes longer, it means the time the officer should be on patrol is compromised because of these devices. An officer should spend the longest time possible in the station trying to download staff. Overall, body-worn cameras should be simple and easy to operate.

  • Data storage and backup

Almost similar to the previous tip, all downloaded footage should be kept securely for easy retrieval and securely guarded by dedicated professionals so that all evidence is accessible with ease.

  • Multiple options to place body-worn cameras

It should have different mounting areas so that officers can choose where appropriate. They should have flexible mounting options such as on the collar, shoulders, glasses, body, and more.

  • Price

The cost of acquiring these devices is a greater determining factor for purchasing cameras. The product should include possible future upgrades and updates and it should have a warranty so that in case of malfunction, you are eligible for warranty repair or replacement.

  • Customer support

After buying personal body cameras in Australia, the vendor should offer customer support to its clients so that difficulties arising from using the cameras can be addressed soon.

 

 

 

 

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *