Body-Worn Camera Auto-Triggering Technologies

There have been a number of high profile incidents in recent years in which officers failed to activate their cameras until after the most critical moments have passed. For instance, in July 2017 Justine Diamond was shot in Minneapolis after she called 911 to report a possible sexual assault. [1] In September 2016, an unarmed man was shot after crashing his motorcycle into the passenger side of a police cruiser.[2]These incidents received nationwide coverage and resulted in widespread protest. They significantly affected the trust between law enforcement and their communities nationwide.

Automatic camera initiation, or auto-trigger technology, is one tool that agencies can use to ensure that body-worn camera (BWC) systems are activated when needed. It is important to note that this is just one tool available for this purpose; it is not the only tool. Recent news coverage suggests that some agencies using this technology are pleased with it.[3] Other agencies have pursued alternate methods to ensure cameras are activated when needed.

What is auto-trigger technology?

Auto-trigger technology automatically activates one or more BWCs, relying on several different keying mechanisms. An auto-trigger mechanism typically activates a BWC automatically based on certain actions, including the following:

• When an officer pulls a weapon from a holster
• When a cruiser moves over a specific speed
• When a cruiser runs with lights or siren
• When multiple BWC cameras are within close proximity to an activated camera
• When a cruiser door is opened
• When an officer is running
• When an officer issues specific verbal commands
• When an officer enters a specific geographic area

These systems often require sensors placed or built into the cruiser, holster, or camera.