Enhancing accountability and safety: how body-worn cameras are transforming private security

Body-worn cameras have become standard for most police officers in the U.S. and are now penetrating the private security field. Corporations, businesses, and individuals hiring private security are now more aware of the benefits of body-worn cameras, often requesting or requiring them as part of security contracts to ensure higher safety standards and accountability.

Although not yet mandated by law, the use of body-worn cameras in private security is a decision made by individual agencies and is becoming increasingly common. According to a study conducted with UK-based security operatives, 82.1% of respondents reported using body-worn cameras (BWCs) while at work. Additionally, 79.5% of the security personnel surveyed believe that BWCs act as an effective deterrent against potential troublemakers.

Why private security companies are turning to body-worn cameras

As law enforcement agencies increasingly adopt body-worn cameras, the expectation for private security firms to uphold to comparable standards of transparency and professionalism has grown. Both clients and the public now demand private security personnel be held to the same rigorous accountability, often seeing private security as an extension of public law enforcement. This growing alignment offers a key trend: what law enforcement does and what private security agencies adopt in terms of practices and standards often mirror each other. Therefore, it is important for private security companies to keep a pulse on the trends in the law enforcement sector.

While law enforcement agencies in some states are required by law to use body-worn cameras, private security companies usually implement them voluntarily for three main reasons: to increase accountability, provide evidence during incidents, and protect their employees from false accusations.

Protecting officers: how body-worn cameras safeguard security guards

Accountability and transparency

Private security companies are increasingly turning to body-worn cameras to enhance transparency and project a higher level of professionalism. Accountability becomes a key concern for any agency, but especially those in industries like retail, corporate security, and event management. These are industries where security personnel interact frequently with the public. This technology helps establish trust with clients and the general public by ensuring that security officers’ actions are documented. As GardaWorld Security — Canada highlights, using Axon body-worn cameras and solutions “gives their team the tools to focus on transparency and accountability” across their operations, helping them “align with the gold standard of security.”

Protection from false accusations

This documentation serves not only to promote accountability but also deters potential misconduct and offers a layer of protection against false accusations. As GardaWorld Security — Canada found, recorded footage provides “clear, indisputable evidence” that has become essential in “exonerating employees and reducing liability risks.” With the growing number of lawsuits and the increasing legal scrutiny faced by security agencies, body-worn cameras offer a layer of protection against false accusations and liability claims. Recorded footage provides clear, and indisputable evidence which helps companies reduce risk.

For security agencies facing increasing legal scrutiny, having video evidence helps to significantly mitigate risk and shield personnel from costly legal disputes, a factor driving adoption of body-worn cameras across the industry.

Reducing risk: body-worn cameras as a deterrent to aggression

The presence of body-worn cameras can serve as a powerful deterrent against aggression, helping to de-escalate situations before they spiral out of control. This is a proactive approach to conflict management and can reduce violent incidents. When individuals know they are being recorded, they are less likely to engage in aggressive or violent behavior. The knowledge that their actions are being documented in real-time and can be used as evidence in the court of law creates a psychological barrier against them acting out. People tend to moderate their behavior when they are aware of the potential consequences of their actions that are being captured on camera.

Should an individual already be in a state of aggression, the presence of a body camera can also help de-escalate the situation. Often times, security personal are trained to announce that they are recording, which can prompt individuals to think twice before continuing to escalate their behavior.

What the future holds: expanding use of body-worn cameras in private security

So what does the future of this industry look like? Recent trends in law enforcement and security sectors suggest that as body-worn cameras continue to prove their value in increasing accountability and reducing false allegations, more private security companies are likely to adopt them. Body-worn camera technology is expected to evolve significantly, with improvements in features like video resolution, battery life, and storage capabilities.

What is currently a choice for many agencies could eventually become a standard practice, likely driven by client demand, industry competition, government oversight. Widespread use may lead to the establishment of best practices and protocols for using, storing, and managing body camera footage.

Axon’s body-worn cameras have become an essential tool in the private security sector, as specifically demonstrated by their adoption at Gardaworld Security - Canada in Canada. They initially integrated the Axon Body 3 cameras into their toolkit which significantly enhanced the safety of their security officers, especially in high-crime areas. According to James Hersey, Senior Account Manager at Gardaworld Security - Canada, “initial results from our deployment have outperformed all of our goals”. Axon’s cameras were key in reducing serious incidents and de-escalating potentially violent situations, resulting in a 93% reduction in assaults on guards.

Ready to see the impact of Axon solutions for yourself? Contact us today to learn how Axon can empower your security team with advanced body-worn cameras and evidence management systems tailored to your specific needs. Learn more at axon.com/enterprise.