Page 12 - Security Today, May/June 2025

B O D Y W O R N
Body-Worn Cameras
on the Rise
By Alan Ring
Guard based in Houston, was shot while on duty
On the evening of Oct. 29, 2024, the owner of 300
at a convenience store. He returned fi re. He was
wearing a plated vest and thankfully recovered in
the hospital.
The other thing the security guard was wearing that “saved his
life” was a body-worn camera. He attributes the camera’s footage
to enabling him to establish a clear-cut case for why he returned
fi re on the suspect, who was arrested that evening, also thanks
(Jonathan says) to the footage from the bodycam.
While law enforcement is the best-known use case for bodyca-
ms, they are also being adopted more heavily in the private sector,
including retail, transportation and private security.
For private security, one of those driving factors is a reduction
in police headcount. A First Analysis report from 2023 titled,
“Internet of Things: Use of bodycams outside law enforcement
set for dramatic rise,” noted full-time sworn-offi cer headcount
had – at the time – had declined for three consecutive years. Pri-
vate security is being tapped as a fi rst line of defense, and by 2021,
the number of security guards nationally outstripped the number
of police offi cers, according to an article in Governing.com.
Another factor behind the rise of bodycams in the private sec-
tor is the need for increased accountability, improved safety and
transparency in work environments that are considered high risk.
And yes, that includes places like retail stores where 80% of front-
line retail workers said they feel unsafe on the job, according to a
2024 survey by Axonify. That fi nding comes as customer incivility
is on the rise, making frontline teams the fi rst line of defense in
managing unruly or unlawful customers.
The use of body-worn cameras in the private sector is still in
somewhat early stages, but the technology has already proven
benefi cial in these ways:
DE-ESCALATING AND RESOLVING CONFLICT
Bo dycams have the potential to de-escalate volatile situations and
aid impactfully with confl ict resolution. It is often true that simply
the presence of a camera can deter unlawful behavior. When that is
not the case, security staff wearing bodycams are trained to defuse
challenging situations with strategic de-escalation techniques.
Further, that footage becomes a valuable training tool for han-
dling similar situations in the future. It can be used to analyze interac-
tions and help improve guard performance in challenging scenarios.
Bo dy-worn camera footage provides an objective account of
the events leading up to an incident, if one still occurs, which
helps with the impartial resolution of disputes.
EN HANCING DATA SECURITY AND PRIVACY
Despite the benefi ts of bodycams, they also raise data security
and privacy considerations that must be addressed. Private se-
curity fi rms and others deploying the cameras should have strict
protocols for safeguarding video footage and ensuring compli-
ance with relevant privacy regulations. This can cover everything
from data retention policies to encryption to the confi dentiality
of video footage.
This is where the value in having both the bodycam hardware,
and a secure data platform comes in. Users can ensure footage is
encrypted on the camera and uploaded directly and securely to
the platform. They can manage user permissions to limit who can
access the data, ensuring it is safeguarded, backed-up and ready
for easy retrieval by only the appropriate parties when needed.
Body-worn cameras serve as the eyes and ears of security
staff and increasingly – frontline teams – providing a fi rst-person
perspective of what is happening around them. The devices are
outfi tted with high-def cameras and audio recording capabilities,
making them a critical tool for capturing information as incidents
unfold. Whether patrolling a crowded venue or managing a dis-
turbance on public transit, the technology arms the wearer with
invaluable situational awareness. This helps them assess threats
and respond in the best way possible.
Another benefi t of bodycams is the ability to livestream, al-
lowing teams on the ground to relay real-time footage from mul-
tiple viewpoints to off-site monitors who can help coordinate re-
sponse efforts. Having an unfi ltered, comprehensive view of the
environment enables personnel to anticipate and address security
concerns quickly and smoothly.
Depl oying body-worn cameras can encourage a culture of
transparency for the user whether a security fi rm, retailer, trans-
portation provider or beyond. Recording interactions between
personnel and customers promotes adherence both to ethical
conduct and professional standards, and it helps resolve confl ict-
ing “he-said/she-said” accounts protecting the employee every bit
as much as the patron of an establishment.
Beyo nd their operational benefi ts, bodycams are a valuable
training and professional development tool. Footage can be used
for post-incident analysis and debriefi ng, allowing security per-
sonnel to review and refl ect on their actions and identify ways to
improve. This, in turn, fosters a culture of continuous learning
and improvement.
Bodycam footage can also be incorporated into training pro-
grams whereby it provides real examples of security protocols
and best practices. By immersing trainees in scenarios based on
actual incidents, teams can use the footage for experiential learn-
ing and enhance the profi ciency of their employees.
Do not be surprised next time you are in a
store and see the checkout clerk wearing a body-
cam. Same goes for riding the train and observ-
ing transit staff outfi tted with the cameras.
Alan Ring is CEO of HALOS Body Cameras.
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