Pro-Vision BODYCAM 4 Body Camera User Guide
- October 27, 2023
- Pro-Vision
Table of Contents
Pro-Vision BODYCAM 4 Body Camera
The Complete Guide to Selecting and Buying a Body Camera for Law
Enforcement
Body-worn cameras are becoming a higher priority for a lot of police
departments around the country. In fact, many states are requiring law
enforcement agencies to purchase body-worn cameras for their department, often
offering grants to help offset the cost of outfitting an entire agency.
But with so many options available, it can be overwhelming trying to figure
out which body-worn camera is the best for your department.
Here are some things to consider when selecting and buying a body-worn camera.
Why Consider Body Cameras?
If you live in a state that doesn’t require body cameras for its police
departments, what are the benefits?
Safety
The biggest reason to implement body cameras is to keep everyone safe — not
just the officers but also the public. Just the mere presence of a body camera
could deter someone from attacking an officer trying to do his or her job.
Likewise, the presence of body cameras aims to put officers on their best
behavior.
Police departments want to be transparent with the public and equipping their
staff with body cameras means they are doing their part in showing the public
that proper procedures are being followed.
Exonerate Officers
With body-worn cameras, officers can capture an incident and the footage can
be reviewed, exonerating an officer from any wrongdoing following a false
claim. Body-worn cameras also mean the onus isn’t on the officer to remember
every single detail. Incidents happen quickly, and it can be difficult for
police officers to recall the events exactly as they happened while trying to
de-escalate a situation.
Tell the Whole Story
Everyone wants to know the truth, and body-worn cameras show exactly what
happened. If there are several officers involved in a single incident, that
means there are multiple points of view involved, making it easier to figure
out how an incident took place.
Accountability
Police departments want to hold their officers accountable. The presence of
body cameras means there is no denying how an incident unfolded. And should an
officer cross the line regarding upholding the law, then the accountability
falls on the department in disciplining the officer appropriately.
What are the Features of a Body Camera?
Body cameras come equipped with several features, and there are a lot of
considerations to be made when purchasing body cameras for your police
department.
Body Camera Point of View
It goes without saying, but where the body camera is located will determine
the video that is captured. Place the camera too low on the chest, and you
could be recording the ground and missing the action. Some cameras can be
added to sunglasses or attached to the brim of a baseball cap, but those
cameras can easily be removed during an altercation. It is recommended to
place the camera on the outside of a breast pocket to offer the best view.
Pro-Vision offers several mounting options, including a magnet mount, garment
clip, epaulette mount and more. The field of view also is an important factor
in determining which camera to purchase. The bigger the field of view, the
more activity that can be recorded. Most body-worn cameras provide anywhere
from 95- to 170-degree field of view.
Enhanced Video Stability for Body Cameras
Because the body-worn camera is attached to a mobile person, the field of view
is constantly moving. And if an officer is chasing a suspect or involved in an
altercation, it can be hard to see what is happening.
Pro-Vision’s Bodycam® 4 body-worn camera features electronic image
stabilization technology, which substantially reduces erratic movement in your
videos.
Proximity Activation for Body Cameras
Proximity Activation allows body cameras to be automatically activated when
within a 30-foot range of another body camera or police vehicle — even if that
vehicle doesn’t have an in-car video system — keeping the focus on the
situation at hand.
Sometimes an altercation escalates quickly, and the last thing an officer
needs to worry about in a life-or-death situation is whether their body camera
is on.
Body Camera Durability
Because of the environment a police officer works in, body cameras must be
durable. Pro-Vision’s Bodycam 4 cameras are IP68 waterproof rated and meet
military specifications, meaning it’s designed for rough environments.
Continuous Recording on Body Cameras
Bodycam 4 cameras offer continuous recording, which means every facet of an
officer’s shift can be captured — even without hitting record. The body
cameras also feature pre-event recording, so you won’t miss a crucial event.
Body Camera Battery Life
Battery life can make or break a body-worn camera. Police officers will need a
camera that can last throughout the entirety of their shift. Bodycam 4 body-
worn cameras feature a 14-hour battery life, meaning there will be no low-
battery interruptions throughout the day. As an added bonus, Pro-Vision’s body
camera docking stations not only charge the device but automatically upload
video footage to be reviewed.
RFID Technology on Body Cameras
Bodycam 4 features RFID Login, which allows body cameras to be easily assigned
to officers with a scan. Just pick a camera, scan and you’re ready to begin.
Plus, there’s no need to designate a certain camera for each officer, as the
RFID Login allows any officer to swap cameras from shift to
shift.
Body Camera Data Management
Pro-Vision offers an optional evidence management program, SecuraMax, which is
a CJIS-compliant solution that simplifies the data management process and
saves time. SecuraMax allows you to request video, blur faces automatically
and share footage with individuals either inside or outside your organization.
It’s also important to consider the license billing structure of the software
solution. Are you paying per uploading device or by how many users have
access? If there will be many nonexploding users who are reviewing videos,
then it could get expensive quickly.
State Mandates Becoming More Common
As mentioned earlier, many states are starting to mandate body cameras for all
law enforcement agencies. Generally, the mandates will come with an
opportunity to apply for grants to help offset some of the costs associated
with implementing these mobile video solutions. No matter the size of your
police force, Pro-Vision has the scalable and versatile hardware solution to
fit your needs.
“We are fully equipped with PRO-VISION® systems. their products give us the
top-quality features we need but at a much more affordable price.”
– Lt. Benny Parker, Muleshoe Police Department, TX
“Kudos to Pro-Vision for making sure we are happy. … This is by far the best
experience I’ve had with a company.”
– Chief Dave Smith, Lorenzo Police Department, TX
About Pro-Vision
Founded in 2003, Pro- Vision is a leading video technology solutions provider trusted by thousands of organizations in 58 countries. Pro-Vision solutions include vehicle video recording systems, body-worn cameras, data management and cloud-based storage solutions. Pro-Vision’s transit, law enforcement and commercial partners utilize these solutions to enhance safety, increase productivity and protect critical assets.
PRO•VISION VIDEO SYSTEMS
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