Resources on Body-Worn Cameras

• NCJ Number: 249123
• Journal: Techbeat Dated: July/August 2015 Pages: 9-13
• Author(s): Michele Coppola
• Date Published: August 2015
• Length: 5 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2014-IJ-CX-K004
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Report (Technical); Report (Technical Assistance); Report (Grant Sponsored)

Annotation

This article presents a brief sampling of materials available to inform law enforcement agencies on the types of body-worn cameras available for testing or purchase and to provide guidance on implementing and developing policies and procedures for the use of body-worn cameras.

Abstract

The National Body-Worn Camera Toolkit is a website that provides an extensive range of information in one place, serving as a clearinghouse to assist agencies in making decisions about adopting the use of body-worn cameras. The toolkit organizes frequently asked questions and resources by topic areas, including research, policy, technology, privacy, and training. The website address is https://www.bja.gov/bwc/. A second resource is Body-Worn Cameras for Law Enforcement Assessment Report, which is a report by the Department of Homeland Security that assesses advantages and disadvantages of seven body-worn cameras for law enforcement. This information is based on objective assessment and validation of commercially available equipment. This report is accessible online at http://www.firstresponder.gov/SAVER/Documents/Body-Worn-Cams-AR_0415-508.pdf. A third resource - Body-Worn Cameras for Criminal Justice: Market Survey - provides information on 18 commercially available devices, summarizing their features and estimated costs. This is a companion to the 2012 A Primer on Body-Worn Cameras for Law Enforcement, which provides an introduction to body-worn cameras, focusing on factors an agency should consider when planning to deploy the technology. A fourth resource - Implementing a Body-Worn Camera Program: Recommendations and Lessons Learned - is a 2014 report from the Police Executive Research Forum and Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. It discusses the perceived benefits off body-worn cameras and explores the policy concerns and questions to consider when implementing this technology. A fifth resource - Police Officer Body-Worn Cameras: Assessing the Evidence - reviews the current evidence on the challenges and benefits of body-worn cameras.