In-View: The Value of Using BWC Video for Training

Body-worn cameras (BWCs) are effective at providing agencies with an additional layer of accountability and transparency. In turn, BWCs help address community concerns, mitigate liability, and often provide the primary evidence to determine whether an officer’s actions were justified in the moment. Not surprisingly, the level of BWC adoption in police departments continues to grow, both because the technology offers many benefits and also because many states now require agencies to use them.

Most organizations review BWC video reactively. Post-incident review will occur in response to a specific action (e.g., force is used; someone is injured) or because a complaint has been made. Many agencies also have some type of proactive random review of BWC footage, which is often meant to ensure compliance with existing policies regarding BWC use (e.g., activation, termination, categorization). The purpose of this In-View is to outline the benefits of proactively reviewing BWC video for training, both for individual officers and for the organization as a whole.

Training is a critical component of law enforcement, and officers must receive ongoing training to ensure they follow policy and are up to date with the latest trends, techniques, and tactics. The benefits of training include increased officer safety, risk mitigation, and performance improvement. Incorporating BWC footage into training can enhance the benefits in each of these areas.

Read the full In-View here.