Nearby Body Camera Activation

Nearby BWC Activation allows an Axon Body 4 (AB4) camera to self-activate when a nearby officer manually starts a recording by double-pressing their Event button. This captures additional perspectives during fast-moving incidents without relying on CAD, LTE, a TASER signal, or a vehicle signal.

How it works

  • A user double-presses the Event Button on their Axon Body 4.
  • Nearby cameras that are eligible can self-activate and begin recording.
  • The receiving Axon Body 4 displays an on-device message: “Nearby BWC” (with an icon).
  • (Optional)The receiving user can choose to disregard this recording with the existing Signal Cancellation workflow.

Requirements & limitations

Supported devices

Axon Body 4

Not supported

Axon Body 3, Axon Body 2, and older models.

Axon Body 4 cameras that are in Sleep Mode, Airplane Mode, docked, or are configured to not activate .

Range & Performance

  • Activation Range : approximately 30 ft (10 m) line-of-sight
  • Activation Delay: within 1 second of receiving the signal.
  • Sending camera broadcasts the message via Bluetooth beacon for up to 30 seconds (stops if Bluetooth turns off or device state changes).

Admin configuration (Axon Evidence / Commander)

Where: Axon Evidence Admin → Axon Body 4 settings

Admin setting: Nearby BWC Activation

This setting is available under Admin>Axon Body 4> Signal.

Nearby BWC Activation

Options:

  • Broadcast and Receive Activation Signal
  • Broadcast activation signal only
  • Receive activation signal only
  • Disabled (Default)

Use this to control through the settings or the profile whether cameras can:

  • Send the activation signal (broadcast), and/or
  • Receive the activation signal (activate).

Optional: False Activation Cancellation (recommended)

If enabled, receiving cameras can use a cancellation workflow to stop accidental or undesired recordings. This is the same cancellation setting that was previously available. When enabled, it now applies to Nearby BWC in addition to Signal.

On-device behavior :

  • On activation, the receiving Axon Body 4 shows option: “Press select to cancel recording on LCD screen.
  • User presses Select to cancel (uses existing “false signal” workflow).

Suggested help text (customer-facing): If your agency enables cancellation, users can quickly stop an unintended Nearby BWC activation directly on the camera.

 

Officer experience

Receiving camera

  • Displays “Nearby BWC” on the LCD (with an icon) when the camera detects a nearby BWC double-press.
  • Begins recording if eligible (buffering mode / not asleep / not in airplane mode).

Sending camera

  • When the user manually starts a recording with an Event button double-press, the camera broadcasts an activation signal for up to 30 seconds.

Evidence labeling, auditing, and reporting (what admins can expect)

Activation reason

Recordings started due to this feature use activation reason: “Nearby BWC Notification”.

Troubleshooting

  • Nearby cameras didn’t activate: confirm the following
    • receiving cameras weren’t docked, asleep, or in airplane mode.
    • Bluetooth is enabled.
    • your role or profile allows Receive activation.
    • Nearby cameras belong to the same tenant.
  • Unexpected/accidental recordings: enable the False Activation Cancellation workflow (if available) and/or restrict who can broadcast via role-based settings.
  • Mixed fleets: older body cameras will not participate; only supported models can send/receive.

FAQ

Does this work with Legacy Cameras?
No. Nearby BWC Activation is for AB4 and future generations of Axon Body cameras.

 

Can we allow some roles to broadcast but not receive (or vice versa)?
Yes— this setting can be configured using Role-Based Settings on your AB4.