Agreement will deploy Digital Ally’s next generation FirstVu PRO body cameras and QuickVu 24-bay docking stations for GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium security
Large Order was Purchased as part of the Company’s Subscription Purchasing Program and Puts its Video Solutions in Near-Airport Locations Across the Country
Order from Kansas State University placed through the Company™s subscription payment plan as strong demand continues for FirstVu Pro body-worn cameras
As policing evolves in the 21st century, body-worn cameras have quickly become an essential tool for modern law enforcement agencies. The benefits of body cameras are numerous, from providing valuable evidence in criminal proceedings to promoting transparency and accountability. However, selecting the right body camera system is a crucial decision that requires careful evaluation. Here are some key factors to consider before purchasing body cameras for your police force.
Battery Life
As we’ve previously discussed, the battery life of body cameras is one of the most critical factors. Officers often work long shifts, and the body cameras they use need to last for the duration without frequent recharging or battery changes. Look for body cameras that offer extended battery life, and consider the availability of additional batteries or charging solutions for prolonged use.
Video Quality and Field of View
The primary purpose of body cameras is to record incidents accurately. Therefore, video quality is a crucial consideration. High-definition (HD) recording capability is a must to ensure clear and detailed footage. Additionally, the camera’s field of view should be wide enough to capture everything the officer sees.
Storage Solutions
Video files from body cameras are typically large and can take up a lot of storage space. Depending on the size of your police force and the number of incidents recorded daily, storage needs can scale quickly. Even more important is chain of custody compliance. Your video recordings must be secured on an immutable storage solution “ ensuring that the video has not been tampered with and proving the authenticity and admissibility of the evidence in a courtroom. A cloud-based solution like AWS GovCloud is the most secure cloud platform on the market and is also scalable, accessible, and cost-effective.
Durability and Resistance
Police officers work in a wide range of environments and conditions, so body cameras should be robust and durable. Look for cameras that are water-resistant, shock-resistant, and able to withstand harsh conditions. They should also come with secure mounting options to ensure they stay attached and positioned correctly, even during physical altercations.
Ease of Use
Body cameras should be user-friendly, allowing officers to operate them quickly and intuitively, even in high-stress situations. Consider factors like how easily the camera can be turned on and off, how it indicates that it™s recording, and whether it has features like pre-event buffering, which allows it to capture footage from before the record button is pressed.
Data Integrity and Security
With the sensitive nature of body camera footage, maintaining data integrity and security is of utmost importance. Look for systems with built-in features to prevent unauthorized access or tampering, such as encryption, watermarking, and secure access controls. The camera should also create an audit trail that logs every time the footage is accessed or downloaded.
Policy Compliance
Before purchasing body cameras, it’s essential to understand the legal and policy implications. Different jurisdictions have different rules regarding body camera usage, data storage, and public access to footage. Ensure that the cameras and accompanying software comply with all relevant laws and regulations.
Vendor Support
Finally, consider the level of vendor support. High-quality customer service, ongoing technical support, and warranties can be vital in maintaining the effective use of the cameras over time.
The Final Word
Selecting the right body cameras for your police force involves careful consideration of numerous factors. By taking the time to evaluate each of these aspects, you can invest in a body camera system that promotes accountability, provides valuable evidence, and ultimately, enhances the safety and effectiveness of your officers and the community they serve. The right technology, when used properly, can be a significant step towards modern, transparent, and effective policing.
The Company™s subscription model continues its momentum in 2023, bringing in over 110 new contracts, bringing the total to over 300 contracts since the adoption of this model in the middle of 2020.
In our tech-driven world, body cameras have become a significant element in various professional fields, including but not limited to law enforcement, private security, and event management. While these devices have emerged as crucial tools for accountability, transparency, and evidence gathering, there™s one persisting issue that can impede your team’s abilities: battery life. Are body camera battery life limitations truly hampering your team™s efficiency and performance? Let™s delve into this issue.
Understanding the importance of body cameras
Body cameras serve as impartial digital eyewitnesses, offering a point-of-view perspective of incidents from the wearer’s standpoint. They record interactions, enhance accountability, and provide crucial evidence that can verify or dispute claims and testimonies. Therefore, a reliable body camera system is essential for professionals whose jobs involve public interaction and potential conflict situations.
Body camera battery life: the constant hurdle
Many current body cameras on the market offer between 6 to 12 hours of recording time. This seems reasonable at first glance; however, when factoring in the unpredictability and extended hours often involved in fields like law enforcement and security, the limitations become apparent.
Teams can find themselves in situations where their body cameras die during critical incidents due to depleted batteries. This can cause significant gaps in evidence and generate public skepticism over the lost footage. Such scenarios highlight the importance of a body camera with a battery life that aligns with the length of a typical shift, or even beyond in some cases.
The ripple effect on team performance
When body camera battery life falls short, it affects more than just the recording of a single incident. The repercussions extend to the whole team™s performance and efficiency.
Moving towards a solution
While the issue of body camera battery life is undeniably an impediment to team abilities, it’s also a solvable problem. With advancements in technology and strategic planning, teams can mitigate these challenges, thereby optimizing their performance, maintaining accountability, and ensuring every crucial moment is captured. Body cameras are not just equipment; they are the tools that uphold the integrity of our essential services. Ensuring they function effectively throughout a shift is critical.
The Company™s subscription payment plan continues to see strong demand for its FirstVu Pro body-worn cameras and EVO-HD in-car video solution.
Digital Ally aims to expand and diversify its commercial video solution division at leading cannabis industry event in Las Vegas