Body cameras are no longer used exclusively by the police, but are also proving popular in local transport and with an increasing number of private security companies. But how exactly can these small high-tech cameras support security personnel in their daily work?
De-escalation of conflictual situations It is well known that body cameras increase safety in public spaces – including “perceived safety”. They are primarily used preventively and are intended to have a de-escalating effect in conflictual situations, so that troublemakers refrain from violent actions. To enhance the de-escalation effect, our body cam has a front display with a mirror function. The person being filmed can see themselves on the body cam display during recording, which is intended to have an additional deterrent effect. ## Reliable preservation of evidence As much as we would like it to be the case, body cams cannot prevent all attacks on security personnel. It is often difficult for security personnel to prove incidents so that troublemakers can face the consequences of their actions. The body cam can help in many ways to secure evidence. On the one hand, the camera has the same angle of view as the human eye and, with its 165° wide angle, also films smaller details of the event. Secondly, the pre-recording function expands the evidence: it records events two minutes before recording begins and automatically discards the material if it is not needed. In dangerous situations, the history of the incident can be important, and this ensures that recordings are made even if a security guard is unable to switch on the body cam quickly enough.
Due to the encrypted transmission of the recording material and the associated assurance that videos are protected against manipulation and access by third parties, body cam recordings can be used in court. This makes body cam recordings more valuable than any witness statement recited from memory and helps security personnel hold perpetrators accountable, because: The material does not lie and reflects the real events of the situation. This type of evidence preservation can also have another positive effect in the long term: troublemakers whose videos have already been presented in court are less likely to make another misstep. ## Emergency button on the body camera Some security personnel work alone depending on the situation. If an incident occurs and the security guard is injured, an emergency call can be made directly via the body cam. Such an emergency button – comparable to a domestic emergency call – can be attached to your body cam on request. Paramedics are notified of the exact location of the person seeking help and can respond quickly.
Torch function Of course, security personnel do not only work during the day. Conflicts with heavily intoxicated individuals, for example, are particularly common at night. Here, too, the body camera must provide reliable recordings. Our body camera therefore has a torch function that allows you to clearly record filmed individuals even in the dark.
This function can also be useful when large areas need to be guarded at night, as it illuminates paths and means that staff do not need an additional torch. The body cam can be conveniently attached to a vest or uniform, leaving both hands free.