How Do Police Body Cameras Work?

Law enforcement is crucial, and its implementation is necessary today. Every day, crimes are happening worldwide, and to remain safe, citizens need to rely on the police. To check the crime rate a police body camera is a handy device that police officers use in emergencies to record activities. These small devices have undoubtedly changed the monitoring scenarios and made it easier for the police. This article explains the inner workings of police body cameras and their impact on society.

What Is a Body Camera?

A body camera, also called a “body cam,” is a device the size of an adult palm. This device is given to police officers to attach to their uniforms to record their actions in an emergency. The cameras contain lenses and microphones to record any incident that involves an officer. It records video and audio to ensure that all activities are recorded properly in case of an incident. These recordings ensure that neither an officer nor a citizen suffers injustice.

Can You Wear Your Phone as a Body Cam?

No, the answer is a simple no. A body camera is designed to withstand harsh conditions and record videos continuously. A smartphone cannot withstand such conditions for a long time. A smartphone is light build and slim. They are not capable of withstanding the actions that come with the job of law enforcement. Moreover, a smartphone is hackable, while a body camera provides secure storage that is easy to use and tamper-proof.

The most striking feature of the body camera is the ability to record continuously. As long as an officer is on shift, the camera recodes all activities to record everything safely. Unlike a body cam, a smartphone simply runs out of battery before recording a quarter of the shift. 

How Do Police Body Cameras Work?

Police body cams are generally used to record important information and actions. For police, interactions with others are extremely important. The smallest of information can create great change during investigation and problem-solving. For this reason, a police officer must always carry a body camera and activate it in case of something important. Best of all, a camera also acts as a restriction on a police officer. It stops them from using their power unjustly. Here’s how police body cameras typically work:

The body camera is almost the size of an adult palm. Police officers must always carry the camera on the body when on duty. The camera has a lens, microphone, and storage to record and store videos. These components capture video and audio clearly during any interaction. Generally, the camera is not actively recording the video. The user must press a button on the camera to record an interaction. Once pressed, the camera records all video and audio around the user. 

Usually, a police officer must activate their camera in case of traffic stops, arrests, or any encounter with the public. This ensures both the safety and preservation of the information. Some cameras activate automatically in case of sudden accidents or triggers like drawing a gun. 

Once activated, the camera records everything that is happening in the camera’s view. Because these cameras are designed to provide evidence, they usually have better resolution and frame rate. Depending on the camera model, the recorded video is stored in the camera’s or external storage.

After the incident, the recorded video is automatically stored in a specific system of the police station or the cloud storage. These videos are kept safe in storage and can only be accessed by specific personnel so that no one may tamper with any evidence. Moreover, several restrictions and policies ensure that recording cannot be deleted before a specific time. Just think about it. 

Every day, hundreds of police officers record videos. Even if they cover little time, the storage becomes difficult to handle after a certain time. This is why a video is deleted or transferred after a certain time. If not, just the video storage of the police station would consume a large amount of its money.

Of course, in the case of videos that are released to the public, they are modified so that the public cannot see and record sensitive information about a victim or suspect. This sensitive information is removed or blurred so no one may recognize it. 

Body camera footage is valuable because it brings many benefits. Knowing that their behavior is being recorded, police officers also ensure it is within the specific limit. As for the recordings, the public or journalists can request access to them through public records or legal channels.

Whatever a person may say, the police body can ensure that the rights of individuals are always safe. Last but not least, know that the features of the body cams vary depending on the model of the camera or the law enforcement agency.

Do Body Cameras Record All the Time?

The answer is no. Privacy matters a lot for recording. Guidelines and Policies state that a police officer must activate their camera in specific conditions like a traffic stop, public interaction, or other significant incidents. Outside of these, the privacy of police officers and the public is respected by the law. Officers sometimes come across situations where recording is inappropriate; hence, an officer can stop the recording at his discretion. 

How Much Does a Body Camera Cost?

Police body cameras, like other cameras, come in various brands and with different features. Each difference changes the price of the camera greatly. Generally speaking, a body cam ranges from several hundred to over a thousand dollars per unit. The most significant factors that affect the costs are the video quality, battery life, storage capacity, durability, and connectivity options. Of course, other options exist, like the recording and evidence management software. These expenses are essential for maintaining the integrity and accessibility of recorded data.

The SJCAM A50 body camera offers 4K video recording, time-lapse functionality, a user-friendly touch screen, wide-angle lens, water and dust resistance, long battery life, LED light and infrared night vision, GPS tracking, car mode compatibility, fast data transfer, and remote control support. These features make the A50 an excellent choice for capturing high-quality footage in various environments and activities.

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Which Body Camera Is Best?

All cameras have different features, so each is suitable for different work. We recommend using two models from SJCAM. These two models have garnered positive reviews because of their use and reliability.

SJCAM A50 Body Camera: 

The SJCAM A50 body camera offers high-quality video and is durable enough to withstand harsh environments and fast body movements. The small design of the camera makes sure it is comfortable to carry. The simple activation of the camera makes it a good choice for law enforcement professionals.

SJCAM A30 Body Camera: 

The SJCAM A30 body camera is another reliable option offering similar features and benefits as the A50. Its design captures crucial evidence while minimizing disruptions during officer interactions.

Conclusion

Speaking candidly, a police body camera ensures that justice is served properly. It keeps both the police officers and the public safe from any harm from another. The recordings during an incident ensure that no crucial evidence escapes from police. But most of all, ever since the cameras were introduced by law enforcement, unjust crime and abuse performed by the police have greatly decreased.