Police body camera

In policing equipment, body worn video (abbreviated to BWV, and also known as a body camera, body-worn camera, or wearable camera) is a wearable audio, video, or photographic recording system used to record events in which police officers are involved. They are typically worn on the torso of the body. Body worn cameras for policing are often similar to other body worn video equipment used by members of the public, commercially, or by the military, but are designed to address specific requirements related to policing.

The definition used in a market survey prepared for the United States Department of Justice in 2016 is that body worn cameras "are cameras with at least one microphone and internal data storage, and allow audio/video footage to be stored and analyzed with compatible software. The cameras are typically located on the police officer's chest or head".

Wearable cameras are often utilized by law enforcement to record their interactions with the public or gather video evidence at crime scenes. It has been known to increase both officer and citizen accountability, although arguments have been made that BWVs primarily protect police. Parking inspectors in particular areas also wear these devices to capture an assault or offense. BWVs are notable because of their placement, often on the front of a shirt, provides a first-person perspective and a complete chain of evidence. BWV is a form of closed-circuit television.

Current body cameras are much lighter and smaller than the first experiments with wearable cameras. There are several types of body cameras made by several different companies. Each camera basically serves the same purpose, yet some function in slightly different ways than others. Some are meant to be mounted on one’s chest or shoulder while others can work as an attachment to glasses or may be worn in a function similar to a headband or on a helmet. As far as sizing goes, "most are roughly the size of a Scotch Tape dispenser and weigh anywhere from about 2 ounces (55 grams) to 5 ounces (140 grams). That's somewhere between a large strawberry and a lemon." These lightweight cameras are designed to be worn comfortably.

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