OVERVIEW
A body worn camera is a device that Law Enforcement, Firefighters, Emergency Medical personnel and other first 4) can use to record real time video of a live incident. While the first iteration of this product had some technical and operational issues, this next generation model is compatible with the Motorola Solutions Inc. APX 8000 line of radios and allows a new range of features that make the combination of the radio and VSM a powerful tool. GENERAL
Body worn cameras were developed to provide accountability and evidence records for those who where them. Often times when an incident happens the stories of what actually transpired are radically different depending on who is doing the telling. In March 1991 a video surfaced of the LAPD beating a suspect Rodney King. The 20 second video was shown millions of times worldwide. The record of the event was not shown in any context. The subsequent acquittal of the police officers involved resulted in days of rioting in the Los Angeles area. The use of dash cams for law enforcement began in the 1990's. These were only useful if an in incident happened within the cameras limited field of view. With an increasing number of law enforcement incidents a way needed to be found to make real time video more compact and able to travel with an officer.
The first body worn cameras to be deployed by law enforcement were in the UK in 2005. As camera technology evolved more and more locales started adopting them. Adoption was slow in the US . It wasn't until December 2014 , in the aftermath of the Michael Brown and Eric Garner incidents that Congress authorized a program to help municipalities purchase these units for their officers.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES
The advantages of the device are many. There is a video record of and incident. This allows for quicker resolution of incidents where wearer misconduct is alleged. The video can also be used for training purposes. It can show what was done correctly and what was done incorrectly. Analysis over several incidents allows the wearers to establish best practices which can be shared with other entities.
Some of the disadvantages are it is another piece of equipment that the wearers are responsible for. Because of it's placement it can get in the way of free movement. It can be used as a weapon if ripped from the wearer. There is additional cost involved for the purchase and ongoing maintenance of the units. They cause additional wear and tear on the radio batteries which is another expense users will incur.
Si500 VIDEO SPEAKER MICROPHONE
Motorola Solutions was one of the companies that quickly integrated body worn cameras into their product line. The latest generation is the Si500 Video Speaker Microphone that allows audio and video to be sent in real time over the radio data channel. A part of their Smart Public Safety offering this product is integrated into the Astro 7.17 communications platform. Via interfaces it is also able to run on non-Motorola Solutions systems.
NEW FEATURES
Some of the new features include 5 integrated microphones for enhanced audio quality.
Water resistant to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
Water/gloved touchscreen operation
Microphone access from either side of the unit. Technical Improvements
The Si500 was built with the end user in mind. Motorola Solutions surveyed their customer base and asked for their suggestions on how to improve the product. The new features listed above were the result of that effort.
1) Making the product more user friendly was one of the primary objectives of the redesign. The new unit weighs 8 ounces with the standard battery and 8.8 ounces with the extended life battery. This is important to the user as it is lightweight compared to the other equipment they must carry.
2) Another feature was the buffered video. This unit will buffer 30 seconds of video before you push the record button. This is very important in pursuit situations as one could easily forget to hit the record button when an incident first starts.
3) This generation of the body worn camera will record in low light situations. The new spec is 0.5 lux environment using MP4 recording format.
4) One of the disadvantages of previous models was their poor performance in water(Firefighting) situations. This model is water resistant to 1 meter for 30 continuous minutes.This is especially important for firefighters inside a structure. It was with the firefighter in mind that the touchscreen enhancements were made. The touchscreen can be operated in a water and/or gloved hand environment.
5) With previous version the microphone was only on one side of the unit. This model has a mic on each side for better, clearer communications. The Future of Public Safely
In addition to all of this is the software that interfaces with the cameras at the dispatch end. The video is stored almost immediately to prevent loss. The Command Central Vault is the storage system utilized to store and recall video and audio files once they are downloaded.The forward facing camera shows people how they are acting and could have a positive effect on their behavior. The audio captures what was said by all parties. The idea has been well received world wide. The Si 500 was is compatible with the TErrestrial Trunked RAdio (TETRA) standard utilized throughout Europe and the Middle East.
It is becoming more and more important for first responders, especially law enforcement, to be able to have accurate, real-time representations of incidents. Of the incidents listed in the General section above, if real time data had been available lives and property could have been saved, and the police and the communities they serve would have a far different relationship than exist today. The Si500 is an example of using technology and first responder best practices to create a product that enhances not only public safety but also responder safety.
Body worn cameras are the new kid on the block as far as equipment goes. They will continue to develop and get more sophisticated. We may very well see a Smart Body Worn Camera in the near future. What will those units look like and what will there features be. It's too early to tell but the future looks promising The Downside of Technology
Everything is not all positive when it comes to body worn cameras. An article by the Force Science institute has produced an article listing the downsides of the technology. You can read the article by following the link here: https://www.policeone.com/police-products/body-cameras/articles/7580663-10-limitations-of-body-cams-you-need-to-know-for-your-protection/
In the article the point out the reasons why cameras aren't a panacea for either first responders or the public. Raw , real time data is one thing but human judgement is perhaps the number one skill that is necessary in any incident. Human beings pick up on ques and body language and voice inflections that cameras do not. Then there is the limited field of view of a camera. Humans have peripheral vision, cameras do not. Humans have gut instincts, cameras do not.
Finally, there are the legal concerns that will inevitably be addressed. The North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys released a report in April 2015 that addressed many concerns with the use of body worn cameras; https://www.bja.gov/bwc/pdfs/North-Carolina-District-Attorneys_Best-Practices-Committee_Body-Worn-Cameras-Concerns-and-Considerations.pdf
In addition to the cost to purchase and maintain this equipment, they explored the difficulties in storing and retaining the data. Their biggest concerns were geared to privacy issues. What happens when someone makes a public records request? How and who will be responsible for insuring privacy? The technology and the legal ramifications have not caught up with each other.
A body worn camera is a device that Law Enforcement, Firefighters, Emergency Medical personnel and other first 4) can use to record real time video of a live incident. While the first iteration of this product had some technical and operational issues, this next generation model is compatible with the Motorola Solutions Inc. APX 8000 line of radios and allows a new range of features that make the combination of the radio and VSM a powerful tool.
GENERAL
Body worn cameras were developed to provide accountability and evidence records for those who where them. Often times when an incident happens the stories of what actually transpired are radically different depending on who is doing the telling. In March 1991 a video surfaced of the LAPD beating a suspect Rodney King. The 20 second video was shown millions of times worldwide. The record of the event was not shown in any context. The subsequent acquittal of the police officers involved resulted in days of rioting in the Los Angeles area. The use of dash cams for law enforcement began in the 1990's. These were only useful if an in incident happened within the cameras limited field of view. With an increasing number of law enforcement incidents a way needed to be found to make real time video more compact and able to travel with an officer.
The first body worn cameras to be deployed by law enforcement were in the UK in 2005. As camera technology evolved more and more locales started adopting them. Adoption was slow in the US . It wasn't until December 2014 , in the aftermath of the Michael Brown and Eric Garner incidents that Congress authorized a program to help municipalities purchase these units for their officers.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES
The advantages of the device are many. There is a video record of and incident. This allows for quicker resolution of incidents where wearer misconduct is alleged. The video can also be used for training purposes. It can show what was done correctly and what was done incorrectly. Analysis over several incidents allows the wearers to establish best practices which can be shared with other entities.
Some of the disadvantages are it is another piece of equipment that the wearers are responsible for. Because of it's placement it can get in the way of free movement. It can be used as a weapon if ripped from the wearer. There is additional cost involved for the purchase and ongoing maintenance of the units. They cause additional wear and tear on the radio batteries which is another expense users will incur.
Si500 VIDEO SPEAKER MICROPHONE
Motorola Solutions was one of the companies that quickly integrated body worn cameras into their product line. The latest generation is the Si500 Video Speaker Microphone that allows audio and video to be sent in real time over the radio data channel. A part of their Smart Public Safety offering this product is integrated into the Astro 7.17 communications platform. Via interfaces it is also able to run on non-Motorola Solutions systems.
NEW FEATURES
Some of the new features include 5 integrated microphones for enhanced audio quality.
Water resistant to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
Water/gloved touchscreen operation
Microphone access from either side of the unit.
Technical Improvements
The Si500 was built with the end user in mind. Motorola Solutions surveyed their customer base and asked for their suggestions on how to improve the product. The new features listed above were the result of that effort.
1) Making the product more user friendly was one of the primary objectives of the redesign. The new unit weighs 8 ounces with the standard battery and 8.8 ounces with the extended life battery. This is important to the user as it is lightweight compared to the other equipment they must carry.
2) Another feature was the buffered video. This unit will buffer 30 seconds of video before you push the record button. This is very important in pursuit situations as one could easily forget to hit the record button when an incident first starts.
3) This generation of the body worn camera will record in low light situations. The new spec is 0.5 lux environment using MP4 recording format.
4) One of the disadvantages of previous models was their poor performance in water(Firefighting) situations. This model is water resistant to 1 meter for 30 continuous minutes.This is especially important for firefighters inside a structure. It was with the firefighter in mind that the touchscreen enhancements were made. The touchscreen can be operated in a water and/or gloved hand environment.
5) With previous version the microphone was only on one side of the unit. This model has a mic on each side for better, clearer communications.
The Future of Public Safely
In addition to all of this is the software that interfaces with the cameras at the dispatch end. The video is stored almost immediately to prevent loss. The Command Central Vault is the storage system utilized to store and recall video and audio files once they are downloaded.The forward facing camera shows people how they are acting and could have a positive effect on their behavior. The audio captures what was said by all parties. The idea has been well received world wide. The Si 500 was is compatible with the TErrestrial Trunked RAdio (TETRA) standard utilized throughout Europe and the Middle East.
It is becoming more and more important for first responders, especially law enforcement, to be able to have accurate, real-time representations of incidents. Of the incidents listed in the General section above, if real time data had been available lives and property could have been saved, and the police and the communities they serve would have a far different relationship than exist today. The Si500 is an example of using technology and first responder best practices to create a product that enhances not only public safety but also responder safety.
Body worn cameras are the new kid on the block as far as equipment goes. They will continue to develop and get more sophisticated. We may very well see a Smart Body Worn Camera in the near future. What will those units look like and what will there features be. It's too early to tell but the future looks promising
The Downside of Technology
Everything is not all positive when it comes to body worn cameras. An article by the Force Science institute has produced an article listing the downsides of the technology. You can read the article by following the link here:
https://www.policeone.com/police-products/body-cameras/articles/7580663-10-limitations-of-body-cams-you-need-to-know-for-your-protection/
In the article the point out the reasons why cameras aren't a panacea for either first responders or the public. Raw , real time data is one thing but human judgement is perhaps the number one skill that is necessary in any incident. Human beings pick up on ques and body language and voice inflections that cameras do not. Then there is the limited field of view of a camera. Humans have peripheral vision, cameras do not. Humans have gut instincts, cameras do not.
Finally, there are the legal concerns that will inevitably be addressed. The North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys released a report in April 2015 that addressed many concerns with the use of body worn cameras;
https://www.bja.gov/bwc/pdfs/North-Carolina-District-Attorneys_Best-Practices-Committee_Body-Worn-Cameras-Concerns-and-Considerations.pdf
In addition to the cost to purchase and maintain this equipment, they explored the difficulties in storing and retaining the data. Their biggest concerns were geared to privacy issues. What happens when someone makes a public records request? How and who will be responsible for insuring privacy? The technology and the legal ramifications have not caught up with each other.
References
1).https://www.motorolasolutions.com/en_us/products/body-worn-cameras/si500.html
2)http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20160529/news/160528688/
3)http://www.communicationsexpress.com/public-safety/motorola-si500.htm
4)http://www.tetra-applications.com/32622/news/motorola-solutions-transforms-body-worn-cameras-for-tetra-users
Body Worn Cameras
Follow the link below to see complete specifications and a demo of the product
Si500 Video Speaker Microphone
Purpose-built wearable with an intuitive user interface combines voice communications, video, voice recording and still images.