Utility has published an analysis of the true cost of ownership for police body-worn cameras. The analysis shows how the five-year total cost of ownership of these cameras could be cut in half by paying attention to hidden, and often unnecessary, costs instead of choosing a camera based on cost of device alone. In addition, the company found that its Bodyworn solution can save law enforcement agencies more than $12,000 per camera over five years.
"This analysis is intended to educate government leaders, police executives, and procurement staff about the true total cost of implementing and operating a body camera program. The body camera hardware is just the start of the total cost of ownership," stated Utility CEO Robert McKeeman.
Ad Loading...
The total cost of ownership analysis was calculated based upon a 100-unit body camera deployment over a five-year period. Utility based the comparison of representative body camera devices on information collected in three overall cost categories:
Deployment Costs - Camera and docking station hardware and software, network infrastructure enhancements, software seat licenses and training.
Direct Operating Costs - Operations support staff, video upload and storage, officer overtime to dock cameras, and retraining for changes in video recording policy and operating procedures.
Indirect Operating Costs - Police department video management support staff for video classification, redaction, security, and distribution; District Attorney; and other video consumer support staff.
A big hidden cost, according to the analysis, comes from video redaction. McKeeman cites a 2015 study from the U.S. Department of Justice that evaluated the impact of body-worn cameras.
"[In the study,] officers only remembered to turn on manually operated body cameras 13% of the time the Phoenix Police policy said they should have," he stated."Police Departments should want body-worn cameras that also increase police officer safety, particularly when the 5-Year Total Cost of Ownership is less than half that of a simplistic manually operated, clip-on camera."
He goes on to note that the ability to redact video quickly and at a low cost helps with police transparency and accountability and protects the privacy of police officers and citizens.
Ad Loading...
Download the full analysis for free from Utility or learn more about BodyWorn here.
The Billerica Police Department (Massachusetts) improved transparency and accountability, sharpened evidence management, and reduced manual hours by integrating Axis body-worn cameras with its Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system.
ZeroEyes has integrated Samdesk into its Public Safety Alerts platform to deliver faster, verified intelligence to help organizations understand emerging risks and respond quickly.
The Fort Lee Police Department in New Jersey has modernized with Genetec Security Center, including video management, automatic license plate recognition (ALPR), and Clearance digital evidence management.
The joint redaction solution from Pimloc and Dynamic Workflow Solutions helps agencies reduce FOIA response time and compliance risk by automatically redacting faces, license plates, and other sensitive information from digital evidence.
The University of Alabama is using D-Fend Solutions as a counter-drone technology supplier for campus and game-day airspace security. The University integrates D-Fend’s EnforceAir into its Emergency Operations Center (EOC), utilizing a unified command framework to collaborate with local, state, and federal partners during major events.
Motorola Solutions is now part of the Cyber Threat Alliance, the first formally organized nonprofit group of cybersecurity practitioners that work together in good faith to share threat information and improve global defenses against advanced cyber adversaries.
Survey results from Genetec’s 2026 State of Physical Security Report highlight the demand for integrated systems that improve response times and reduce investigative workload. Nearly nine in 10 respondents said they use security data to help keep officers safe.
Audit Assistance is the latest tool in the Flock Trust & Compliance suite, a first-of-its-kind set of products and services that provides communities with guardrails and customization for accountability, transparency, and responsible use of the Flock platform.
The Toughbook 56, the latest rugged laptop from Panasonic Connect, delivers enhanced performance, refined design, new levels of security, and power-efficient workflows in demanding environments.
Radarsign’s traffic safety portfolio, including radar speed signs, flashing beacon systems, and more, are now available through Sourcewell purchasing contracts.
