Four Challenges of Using Body-Worn Cameras by Police Officers
The inventor of body-worn cameras had the most beautiful idea that anyone could think of. It has helped a lot in evidence gathering and also as an “eye-witness”. Body cameras have several benefits both to police and civilians.
However, as good as it may seem, it also has a couple of limitations that even make its use in some parts of the country a crime. So what are these limitations that make body cameras to be unwanted in some parts of the world? Well, we are about to find out just how by looking at the following major challenges involving body cameras.
Limitations of body-worn cameras
- Body camera can’t follow your eyes lead
Body cameras only record what appears in front of the lenses. If you happen to turn your head and focus your eyes on something else, the camera cannot follow your lead. In simple terms, if you have to record any particular event, you have to manually turn the camera facing the scene in order to record.
Likewise, it cannot act as you will under certain conditions as a mechanism to relieve stress. A body camera will record everything without putting feelings forward. Moreover, your brain may also play visual tricks whereby you see scenes in a clearer way, but the camera will just maintain the distance and dispel the idea that you actually had a horrible experience.
- Greater speed than real life
Body cameras usually record things very fast than any other camera available in the world today. Hence, it becomes difficult to record incidents that happen quickly because the camera may fail to capture them. Such action may result in the loss of important evidence during the incident.
- Records in 2D format
Body cameras only record in 2D format and may fail to capture data perceived in 3D by human eyes. This makes it difficult to judge the distance from one point to another in-camera footage. The camera may shorten the distance between two places than it actually was, hence the reviewer may fail to understand the level of threat that the officer was facing.
- Your body may block the view
The position of the camera will determine the area it can span while collecting data. If you carelessly place it, your body parts will block it from recording crucial incidents and make it useless. For instance, if you place the body cameras around your chest and the time comes to fire a gun, your hands will block the camera from recording the incident as it happens. Therefore, the body camera requires a police officer to be wary of the situation and always adjust the position of the camera, a time he or she may not get in a life and date situation.
Finding the right company for body cameras
If you look at using body worn video cameras, you need to have a clear idea of the kind of company that will supply you with excellent body cameras. One way of analysing a company is by checking their reputations, go through the comments and testimonials of the past clients, and find out if they were satisfied with the products they received.
You also need to find out if the organisation has well-skilled labour with enough experience to manufacture quality body cameras. Likewise, you have to find out if the company offers its products at affordable prices to your convenience. Lastly, do not forget to know the location of the company because it will determine if you will be able to access it with ease.