Body cameras in use: Public Order Office

Why is the public order office relying on body cameras?

The use of body cameras in municipal law enforcement should primarily serve to protect field staff and de-escalate conflict situations. The NetCo Body-Cam Pro enables this with its front display. The visible presence of the camera and the activation of the front display with an announcement of possible recording has deterred 75% of aggressors at the Duisburg Public Order Office, thereby reducing assaults. At the same time, the body cam objectively documents events and thus contributes to the investigation of incidents.

What are the advantages of body cameras for security services?

• De-escalation in seconds: simply activating the front display calms many situations.
• Protecting employees from assaults: Attacks become less frequent because every action is documented.
• Transparency: Recording is visible and announced in advance.
• Preservation of evidence: Tamper-proof data assists in criminal prosecution and civil claims.

With the NetCo Body-Cam Pro, public order officials benefit not only from the recording itself, but also from technology that actively helps to prevent aggressive behaviour.

How does the use of a body camera in the field work in practice?

The NetCo Body-Cam Pro is deliberately designed to be simple to use:

1. 1 Announcement: The emergency responder informs the persons concerned that they may be recorded with the body camera.
2. 2 Activation: At the touch of a button, the camera provides haptic and acoustic feedback, and the front display shows "Recording in progress".
3. 3 Recording: Only for as long as a specific operation requires it.
4. 4 Storage: The data is encrypted and can only be accessed by authorised persons.

This creates a clear process that is both legally compliant and de-escalating.

Practical experience

More and more local authorities are trialling the use of body cameras in public order offices, with predominantly positive results. In Bochum, the introduction of the NetCo body cam led to a significant reduction in attacks on law enforcement officers. In Cologne, Duisburg and Leverkusen, too, emergency services report a clear de-escalating effect: as soon as the front display is activated and the aggressor is confronted with their behaviour, the situation calms down in most cases. Due to the psychological effect of the display, recordings are not necessary in most situations.

Public order authorities confirm the benefits: body cams enhance the safety of law enforcement officers, document incidents objectively and, if necessary, provide evidence for administrative offence or criminal proceedings. Cities such as Münster, Krefeld, Hamm and Herne therefore rely on the NetCo Body-Cam Pro to prevent aggression and strengthen trust in the municipal public order service. False accusations can be easily refuted by recordings, for example.

Previous pilot phases show that body cameras are much more than just technology. They are an effective tool for preventing violence.

The impact of body cameras on law enforcement

De-escalation of conflict situations

The de-escalating effect is one of the main advantages of using body cameras. The front display of NetCo's Body-Cam Pro helps people to see their own behaviour reflected and can thus have a de-escalating effect in tense situations. Practical reports show that the use of body cameras can reduce the number of attacks on emergency services personnel by up to 75%. This relieves the physical and psychological strain on law enforcement officers. Fewer confrontations lead to fewer staff absences and turnover. The NetCo Body Cam Pro is easy to operate with only two control buttons, helping emergency personnel to focus on the situation so that the camera acts as a de-escalating aid and a second pair of eyes rather than a distraction.

Transparency and trust in municipal law enforcement

The use of body cameras contributes to the transparency of municipal law enforcement. Recording events makes the actions of employees more comprehensible. This strengthens public confidence in law enforcement agencies and promotes a better understanding of the work of field staff. Recording incidents provides an objective basis for investigating complaints and allegations. Transparent communication and the use of body cameras help to present facts accurately and strengthen trust. The use of body cameras thus helps to convey a positive image of the public order office to the public and to clear up misunderstandings.

Public perception and criticism

Public perception of body camera use is mixed. While many citizens welcome the protection of emergency services and increased transparency, there are also concerns about data protection and surveillance. It is important that law enforcement agencies provide open and transparent information about the use of cameras and take the concerns of the public seriously. NetCo wants to help dispel all concerns by being the only manufacturer based in Germany to guarantee compliance with German standards, with storage on German servers, end-to-end encryption, role-based access control concepts and deletion periods.