The Safariland Group and VIEVU introduces the Camera Auto-activation System, a proprietary technology activating the VIEVU® LE4 Body Worn Camera once a firearm is drawn from the Safariland® 7TS™ duty retention holster. Upon activation, the camera’s pre-record function captures and records the 30 seconds of video prior to the drawing of the firearm and remains actively recording until the camera is manually turned off. The Camera Auto-activation System will be formally launched at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Conference this October 15-18 in San Diego, California, Booth #1039.
“Today, transparency and trust are top of mind as law enforcement professionals implement best practices for monitoring and recording events that involve critical incidents,” said Scott O’Brien, president of The Safariland Group. “Safariland and VIEVU are at the forefront of this growing requirement with this advanced technology and will continue to engineer equipment that aids in accurate accounting of how events transpire. Our goal is to provide efficient and effective body worn camera options and evidence management solutions that enable officers to do the best job possible while maintaining their safety.”
The Safariland 7TS holster models with the Camera Auto-activation System include a wired connection to ensure consistent auto-activation of the VIEVU LE4 Body Worn Camera upon the drawing of a firearm. The wired connection allows for simplistic and reliable operation, minimizing user error, and can be fitted to an existing LE4 Body Worn Camera. The first 7TS models to feature the Camera Auto-activation technology are the 7360/7365 ALS® Level III Retention™ and 7280 SLS Level II Retention™ duty holsters.
The VIEVU LE4 Body Worn Camera, in standby mode, with its pre-record feature, is constantly buffering 30-second periods of video footage. Once the firearm is drawn, the critical 30 seconds of video prior to the draw are automatically recorded. This key feature allows the officer to focus on the task at hand without having to pause and turn on the camera – an important safety consideration in critical and fast-moving incidents. The LE4 Body Worn Camera can record for 12 continuous hours without having the battery recharged. Additionally, the LE4 Body Worn Camera Smartphone App enables livestream videos and the addition of metadata for analytical practices.
The Safariland and VIEVU Body Worn Camera Auto-activation System supports continuing improvements in officer and public safety. During a stress-filled, potentially life-threatening situation, an officer will no longer have to remember to turn on his or her body worn camera. Commanders, administration and the public will no longer have to ask why a camera was not activated.
“Demand for body worn cameras is growing rapidly, as we have seen from the reaction to recent incidents during the past year,” said Tarey Gettys, vice president and general manager at VIEVU. “The release of timely and accurate data is at the center of the ongoing national dialog. Our auto-activation system provides a best-in-class solution for an officer where he or she does not have to worry about turning on a body worn camera. In addition to enhanced transparency, advantages include faster resolution of officer-involved incidents, improved evidence management and enhanced data analytics.
