Tech Watch: Compact Cameras for Law Enforcement

Law enforcement agencies and other uniformed services needing critical video evidence or tracking require an integrated system that fits their personnel whether a police officer responding to a crime or a paramedic performing CPR, a portable camera such as a body-worn helps them gather proof or connects them to a command center.

Mobile video devices fitted in vehicles or body-worn prove an essential tool not just in law enforcement. Other industries that could benefit are fire and rescue departments, EMT services, road and freeways construction personnel, or even private business with staff members on fieldwork, etc.

Body-Worn Cameras

Most local and state law enforcement agencies in the U.S. use body-worn cameras for their police officers. Officers usually wear the devices in the performance of duties. The necessity for open and direct contact with the general public makes this gadget an indispensable tool.

Agencies that take transparency issues seriously find body-worn cameras very beneficial. Producing crucial videos for proof does not rely upon a pre-event recording. Some gadgets in the market work even if you forgot to push a record button; you can even scan back for video recordings several days after the event unfolds. So no more reason to worry about missing videos.

Features and Benefits

• Keep officers connected to the agency command center
• Automatic wireless recording
• Integrated with the in-car system
• Natural field of view
• Easy incidence recovery

In-Car Video System

Police vehicle camera systems are prevalent in most police departments, and for a good reason. Although statistically speaking, assaults on officers during traffic apprehensions are uncommon, there were occurrences of fatal assaults in the past. In-car video systems for police add safety to the officers on duty.

Both the agency and the general public also benefit from this device. Studies show that it reduces the agency’s liability; and lowers the risk of cops’ use of force on the people.

Features and Benefits

• Increase officers and public safety
• Provides openness to the community
• Provide more leads to crime solving
• Improves conviction rate
• Integrated with body-worn cameras
• Secured data backup and transfer

Do these compact cameras replace the standard two-way radios?

Not at all; portable two-way radios continue to be the primary communication device in the industry. Compact cameras serve different functions, and a communication feature is not one of them. But having a body-worn camera, in-car system, and Tele-Rad two-way radios makes the officer very effective on foot, in the car, and at the station.

Do you need Wi-Fi for these devices?

No, a better alternative is a private LTE network. LTE works better than Wi-Fi when it comes to area coverage. Whether high-priority broadband data or real-time video transfer, LTE enables more stability and power than a Wi-Fi system. Visit this page for more relevant information regarding LTE.

Conclusion

Both body-worn and in-car video systems deliver essential purposes to law enforcement agencies. Most are available with features that enable the officers to upload their camera unit’s recording to the agency’s cloud.

Today’s dash cameras are so advanced that even private vehicles install these gadgets on their cars, and motorcycle riders attach the camera to their safety helmets. The technology is available for the general public, not just law enforcers and frontliners.

Nonetheless, having video evidence is one way for law enforcement officers to support their actions’ integrity.