Primer on Body Worn Camera Technologies

• NCJ Number: 250382
• Author(s): Vivian Hung; Steven Babin; Jacqueline Coberly
• Date Published: November 2016
• Length: 49 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2013-MU-CX-K111
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Report (Technical); Report (Technical Assistance); Report (Grant Sponsored); Instructional Material
• Award: Establishing a National Criminal Justice Technology Research, Test and Evaluation Center

Annotation

This report aggregates and summarizes information on commercial body-worn cameras (BWCs) to aid law enforcement officers and public-safety practitioners in the planning, acquisition, and implementation of BWC technology.

Abstract

In the wake of problematic encounters between police and community residents, many envision that BWCs have the capability of bringing increased legitimacy and accountability to all parties in cases of questionable behaviors in police-citizen interactions. There are now over 60 different BWCs produced specifically for use by law enforcement officers. BWCs are cameras with a microphone and internal data storage. They allow audio video footage to be stored and analyzed with compatible software. Cameras are typically designed to be located on an officer's chest or head. This report provides background context for BWC functions, methodology for the market survey that is a companion for this report, results from the market survey, and considerations for implementing BWCs in the field, which includes considerations for integrating BWC into current systems. Data storage , policy for BWC use, and legal implications are discussed. For more technical specifications on each BWC, refer to the companion NIJ BWC Market Survey document (NCJ-250381). 4 tables and 27 references