Bodycam

What is a bodycam?

A bodycam is a camera placed on the uniform that can record images. The municipality has decided to purchase bodycams and start using them. Boas sometimes face aggression, such as swearing and sometimes even physical violence. Experience shows that visibly wearing such cameras can prevent aggression. This is good for the safety of the boas.

How does it work?

The boa turns on the camera as soon as an incident occurs, such as an insult or threat. The officer informs the person(s) involved that the bodycam will be turned on beforehand. The bodycam is continuously on standby and records everything. If the boa presses the record button, the bodycam also records the two minutes before.

Saving data

The bodycam stores the captured images with special software. The officer cannot immediately view and/or delete the images on the street. When the boa is in the office, the boa places the camera in a docking station. A docking station is a secure environment. The municipality keeps the images for up to four weeks. After that, the images are removed unless there is a reason by law not to do so. In case of a report or a complaint, the images can be reviewed afterwards.

When may the municipality view the images?

In three cases, the congregation may view the images:

  • if the prosecution requests the images for investigation;
  • a filmed resident files a complaint;
  • a filmed resident makes a request to view the footage.

Working method of bodycams

The boas of the Municipality of Voorne aan Zee wear bodycams for their own safety. Below we briefly explain when and how bodycams are used and what happens with the images.

Situation gets out of hand

A situation with a person on the street threatens to get out of hand. An unsafe situation arises for the boa and bystanders.

Pointing to the bodycam

The boa alerts the person that he/she has a bodycam and is going to turn it on.

Turn on bodycam

If the warning does not make the situation safer, the officer turns on the bodycam.

Saving images

The bodycam stores the captured images with special software. The officer cannot immediately view and/or delete the images on the street.

Upload images

At the office, the officer places the bodycam in a docking station. This is a secure environment.

Preserving the images

The municipality keeps the images for a maximum of four weeks. After that, the images are automatically deleted unless there is a reason under the law not to do so.