Focus on body cameras: 4th Body Camera Conference – Municipal networking, practical training, and de-escalation strategies

Specialist conference on body camera use brings together security agencies, public order offices, and municipal emergency services – focus on practical training, de-escalation, and successful introduction of body cameras.

Great public interest in the presentations at the 4th Body Cam Conference in Frankfurt.

(Blankenburg (Harz)/Frankfurt am Main, July 1, 2025) On May 21, 2025, around 70 experts from the security industry gathered in Frankfurt am Main to learn about the latest developments in body cameras, practical application scenarios, and training approaches at NetCo’s 4th Body Cam Conference.

Bodycam experiences from municipal practice

The trade event has proven itself above all as an established platform for municipal exchange. Representatives from public order offices were in attendance, supplemented by experts from security companies and representatives from the rail and transport industry. The government supplier ETZEL also had an exhibition stand at the event. According to managing director Pierre Etzel, the conference provided ETZEL with exciting insights into the needs of security companies, enabling it to develop even more targeted product solutions.

Versatile program with a strong practical focus

The conference program offered a successful combination of specialist presentations, discussion panels, and targeted networking opportunities, as well as a two-part body camera training course.

The event kicked off with a presentation by Andreas Bach from the City of Cologne, who gave an impressive account of how the public order office mastered the organizational and technical introduction of body cameras—from the preparation of internal processes to the first deployments in downtown Cologne to the challenges in terms of data protection and internal acceptance.

Dipl.-Psych. Dipl. oec. Udo Kluttig from LOGO Bochum then addressed the psychological perspectives of de-escalation with body cameras and showed, among other things, how the successful introduction of body cameras through early employee involvement, transparent communication, and practical training contributes significantly to acceptance and effectiveness in the field.

Finally, Oliver Pohl – author, lecturer, and trainer – guided the participants through a two-part operational training course, covering theoretical basics such as communication models and practical exercises with body cameras. He taught the fundamental principles of de-escalation and self-protection – from maintaining the right distance and body language to typical communication and self-defense mistakes and the targeted use of body cameras in the field. He placed particular emphasis on realistic exercises and sustainable training approaches that strengthen emergency personnel in the long term and make them safer.

Positive response and lively professional exchange

The consistently positive feedback from participants was reflected not only in the presentations, but also in the numerous constructive discussions that took place during the breaks. “The Bodycam Conference is characterized by its in-depth professional exchange. I am particularly pleased that the municipalities are networking with each other and finding ways to successfully master the challenges on the long road to introducing body cams,” said Anna Lena Nolte, Head of Bodycam at NetCo. Dr. Matthias Hagner, Managing Director of NetCo, also emphasizes the added value of the conference for society as a whole: “Body cameras are much more than a technical aid, as they create transparency, promote mutual trust, and help emergency services to identify and defuse conflicts at an early stage.” An important aspect of the Bodycam Conference is therefore to provide project managers with strategies they can use to actively promote the acceptance of body cameras in their teams.

Outlook for the 5th Bodycam Conference

Due to the consistently positive feedback, NetCo is planning to continue the event in 2026. The location and thematic focus will be announced in good time. Interested parties will find all the important information and registration details at www.netco.de/body-cam/konferenz.