Your Ultimate Guide to Body Cameras

Why Body Cameras are Important to Public Safety

Body cameras are small and portable surveillance devices used by several different professions to improve public safety via video surveillance and data storage. Body cams were originally designed to be worn by law enforcement personnel to visually and audibly record their interactions with the public, which is still one of their primary purposes. The call for more accountability across law enforcement fields has seen a significant surge in body-worn cameras, which in itself has driven the vast and rapid improvement of the technology. The body cam market is expected to continue rising owing to the constant evolution of the technology that allows for superior processing and data storage, and the increasing demand from various sectors.

Considerations for Body-Worn Cameras

The call for body cams has become ubiquitous across a diverse range of different industries. They are arguably most notably associated with law enforcement, where they are used by police departments to record interactions with the community. This is to promote accountability within the force and to keep a record of police proceedings that can be drawn on later should events ever need to be verified. Similarly, the Australian Border Force (ABF) has also taken to deploying body cameras to their border control workers, who use them to document interactions with travellers at ports and airports. Body cams are also used by building inspectors to record footage of their inspections, which can be used as evidence if necessary, and to better document their findings and provide a more thorough report to their clients. In the world of aviation, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has started using body cameras to capture footage of inspections, audits, and other activities, monitor compliance and improve safety standards on their commercial vessels, and capture footage of inspections and other activities that may then be used to investigate incidents or accidents.

How to Choose the Best Body Camera for You

The recent spike in body camera usage means there is now a wide choice of body cams available on the market, making it challenging for consumers to find the best body cam tech for their needs. Here are some of the key factors to keep in mind while shopping around for your body cameras…

Ease of Use: The body camera should be easy to use, with an intuitive interface and simple controls. A clear display is also important so users can easily review the footage.

Video and Image Quality: Arguably one of the most important features to consider is the body camera’s primary function; clear and reliable visual recording. Most modern body cams come with a high-resolution lens with a wide-angle view that can provide a clear and comprehensive view of its surroundings. You may also want to check that your body cam can record footage in low-light conditions, a function that may prove critical in situations where lighting is dim.

Audio Quality: Similarly, a reliable audio recording function is critical, especially if your body camera purchase is in the interest of monitoring/surveillance. Your body cam should come with a high-quality microphone that can record clear audio, even (or indeed, especially) in situations that may have noise pollution.

Battery Life: Broadly speaking, most (if not all) professions that require body cams require them for situations where it is not convenient or at all feasible to sit down and wait for the battery to recharge. As such, a reliable and long-lasting body cam battery is critical, to ensure that it does not run out of charge at an inopportune moment. Similarly, a quick charging time is also essential, allowing for the camera to be charged quickly when necessary.

Storage Capacity: Another essential function to take into consideration is a storage capacity that is both ample and dependable. Your body cam should have enough storage to hold several hours of footage, with fast upload speeds to ensure quick transfer of footage to a computer or server. Some cameras also offer cloud-based storage, allowing users to access footage from any device with an internet connection.

Compliance with Legal and Privacy Regulations: As we live in an age of surveillance that some might argue is becoming increasingly invasive, body cameras must comply with legal and privacy regulations. These laws and regulations differ from country to country and from state to state, so it’s urged that you check what yours are and then ensure your body cam tech can adequately comply with them.

Durability and Water Resistance: Body cameras are frequently exposed to harsh conditions, including extreme weather (and in the case of some professions, water immersion). It is therefore integral to choose a camera that is durable and water-resistant to withstand these conditions without getting damaged.

Adaptability: Various businesses implement various different systems to manage and analyse their body cam footage, so it’s important that your body cam tech is going to smoothly integrate with the software that you have in place, otherwise you risk having bugs in the system, or a set-up that quite simply doesn’t work.

GPS and Location Tracking: Many body cameras now offer GPS and location tracking functions, which allow users to track the location of the device and its wearer. This feature can be beneficial in emergency situations, where first responders are needed to locate and aid the wearer as quickly as possible.

Affordability: The price of a body camera can vary widely, depending on the features and capabilities, and an affordable but dependable model may indeed be intrinsic if your organisation or operation is working with a limited budget. While some body cameras tend to fall on the pricey side, there are still some models that offer both quality assurance and value for money.

The Transcend Range of Body Cameras

The Transcend Range of BodyCams is a line of high-quality, body-worn cameras designed for security, law enforcement, and other demanding environments. These durable cameras offer high-definition video recording, long battery life, and a sturdy construction that can withstand harsh conditions. They also have a wide range of connectivity options - including Wi-Fi and 4G LTE - that are designed to enable remote monitoring and real-time streaming. If you require professional and dependable video recording capabilities in the field, then the Transcend Range of BodyCams is the ideal solution.

Summary

In summary, if you’re looking for body cameras in Australia that provide high-tech performance at an affordable price, then Tekdis is here to help! You can review the full range of Tekdis body cams here, and if you wish to call or email one of our friendly tech experts, you can get in touch with Tekdis here. Easy!