Body-worn Cameras Number One Tech Priority for Local Government Law Enforcement

    ALEXANDRIA, VA, July 15, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Body-worn cameras ranks first among the technology priorities facing today's local government law enforcement officials, according to the results of the "2015 Local Government Law Enforcement Technologies" national survey, conducted by the Public Technology Institute (PTI) and Deltek.

Radio communications ranks a distant second among technology priorities, followed by mobile data, smart devices and public safety applications (tied for third). Rounding out the top five are information sharing and social media tracking.

Over 400 law enforcement officials from across the US, representing villages, towns, cities and counties contributed to the survey.

When asked if their law enforcement agency is currently using body-worn cameras:
- 22% of respondents stated that all officers have body-worn cameras
- 12% stated that some officers use cameras
- 35% of respondents stated that their agency does not currently use body-worn cameras, but they are planning for it
- 31% stated that their agency has no plans yet to implement body-worn cameras for police

"Local law enforcement agencies must have a clear understanding of the impact deploying body-worn cameras has on internal information technology capabilities, not just the impact on officer and public safety," said Alan Shark, Executive Director of PTI. "Considerations include the various technology options available, funding to implement and maintain a sustainable program, data transmission and storage requirements, and governance aspects."

The survey also looks at:
- Technology adoption and deployment
- Operations, budgets and funding
- Public Safety Answering Points
- What keeps law enforcement officials up at night

A report highlighting the survey is available for free at this link.

On Thursday, July 23, 2015 at 2:00 PM ET, PTI and Deltek will present a webinar that will provide in-depth analysis of the survey results. Register for this free webinar at this link.

ABOUT PTI
Created by and for cities and counties, the not-for-profit Public Technology Institute promotes innovation and collaboration for thought-leaders in government, and advances the use of technology to improve the management and delivery of services to the citizen. www.pti.org.

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