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Introduction to Body-Worn Cameras

Video Technology and Human Perception

Video recordings of law enforcement interactions with the public have become more prominent due to technological advancements that simplify recording processes. In addition to citizens’ personal devices, bodyworn and vehicle-mounted cameras have become mandated for a growing number of law enforcement agencies. As technology advances, so does the need to keep current of the latest guidelines, best practices, and technology surrounding digital videos.

The Force Science Introduction to Body-Worn Camera Course will educate professionals about the benefits, issues, limitations, and laws about digital videos. Instructors will emphasize the differences between video data and human eyewitnesses, factoring in external factors that would cause an eyewitness account to deviate from video data. Relevant technical, scientific, and human factors knowledge are introduced to promote thorough investigations. This course aims to teach attendees to increase both individual and institutional transparency, accountability, and public trust.

Quick Breakdown

  • 8-Hour Course
  • Onsite Classroom Training
  • 1 Expert Instructor
  • $295/seat

Course Objectives

At the end of this course,  participants will be able to:

  • Provide a basic understanding of human vision, attention, perception, decision making, error, and memory.
  • Explain the fundamental differences between a human witness and digital video recordings.
  • Know the fundamentals and technical terms that are associated with the operation of digital video (BWC) and how that relates to performance and results of the videos.Lenses and the impact on images, fps/distance from source/speed of sound, sampling rates for video and audio
  • Identify issues with digital video concerning human performance.
  • Discuss the issues of utilizing BWCs to assist with investigations of officer-involved incidents.
  • Explain the legal issues and how to present videos to the public and courts.
  • Be able to explain how the perception of a person/witness can be different from what a digital video camera (BWC) records
  • Identify and understand the differences between decision time, alignment, motor movement time, time to engage, visual focus affect, and what is recorded by a digital video camera and provide illustrations of these factors.
  • Explain discrepancies between officer’s perception and/or memory of an event versus what was recorded in the image of digital video.
  • Know the role of video in incident reconstruction and how and when to use it as a memory enhancer.
  • Explain some of the biases that are present with video, the public, and law enforcement.
  • Explain the use of video in relation to law enforcement investigations.
  • Provide an understanding of how video can assist with accountability, transparency, and improved community relations