Producing and interpreting body-worn video: policy challenges and opportunities

Abstract

Body-worn video (BWV) technology is increasingly being used across supervision, oversight, and public disclosure, often with an underlying assumption that it offers an objective and independent record of events. his brief however shows that BWV footage is shaped through decisions made during capture, selection, and system design, many of which are not visible within the footage itself. Accordingly, the meaning of footage is not fixed but shaped through a series of organisational and interpretive decisions. Given that reliance on and public exposure to BWV footage continue to expand, there is an increasing risk that footage will be treated as self-evident without giving sufficient attention to how it is produced and interpreted. Furthermore, rather than resolving these issues, developments in recording technology may shift where and how decisions are made, including from frontline officers to system design or automated processes. Existing interpretive and governance issues therefore risk being intensified or relocated into new technical systems before they’ve been fully recognised and addressed. In order to address these developments, police organisations should implement clear interpretation guidance that makes the conditions under which footage is produced and reviewed more visible. Greater transparency is also needed in how footage is selected, documented, and assessed, in addition to developing review processes that support more consistent and accountable interpretation. Addressing these gaps proactively, before newer recording and AI-assisted systems become embedded in routine police practice, may be critical for maintaining public trust and confidence in the use of police technologies.