Body-worn cameras, a fixture for law enforcement, public safety and private security, are expanding into new markets such as retail and service sectors, extending video protection to operations, training, facility control and accountability.

With better coverage and wireless connectivity, as well as enhanced integration with system-wide security solutions, bodycams now livestream video over cellular, which opens new possibilities for remote situational awareness, especially where fixed coverage is limited. These devices are evolving from security tools into multipurpose operational devices that support safety, accountability and efficiency across a range of use cases, said David O’Connor, director of strategic planning and public safety for i-PRO Americas Inc., Houston.

“While law enforcement and public safety remain the core users of body-worn cameras, we’re seeing growing interest across several commercial sectors, including security, retail, manufacturing, healthcare, utilities and service-oriented industries like venues and food service,” O’Connor said. 

Adoption is still in the early stages, but rising, especially in environments where frontline staff regularly interact with the public or operate in remote, high-risk settings.

“In retail and healthcare, for example, body-worn cameras are increasingly viewed as tools to help de-escalate tense situations and discourage aggressive behavior. In manufacturing and utilities, the technology is being explored not just for security, but also for operational training, safety compliance and remote expert assistance. The ability to provide hands-free, real-time video and audio, combined with secure communication, offers significant advantages over traditional smartphones, which often lack the durability, reliability and workflow integration required in these settings,” O’Connor said.

Assessing interactions in the field

Bodycams add a layer of protection and accountability that can help mitigate risks, improve service delivery and even increase client trust, according to Alan Ring, CEO, HALOS Body Cameras, Lewisville, Texas. Ring said there’s growing emphasis on employee safety, accountability and transparency that bodycams help address. 

“In passenger transit, for example, violent assaults on transit workers have tripled since 2008. We’re hearing from rail companies that want to explore bodycams to address that spike in violence and to better ensure passenger safety, as well, making public transit a better experience for everyone. Similarly, a rise in customer incivility in stores [theft and aggression toward clerks] has driven a spike in interest from retailers. Users are finding the technology helps by de-escalating conflicts, documenting incidents and deterring misconduct. A National Retail Federation survey of major chains in the U.S. found 35% of retailers said they were researching body cameras for employees,” he said.

For ECs, body-worn cameras can help with incident de-escalation and documentation, evidence collection, safety and compliance monitoring and even training. 

“Almost any industry where you’ve got employees out in the field providing a service and interacting with customers or handling heavy equipment could benefit from body-worn cameras,” Ring said.

Systems integrators could offer bodycams as part of a service-based model with recurring monthly revenue, O’Connor said.

“Because these are wearable devices deployed directly with frontline personnel, they naturally lend themselves to ongoing engagement and service contracts. Integrators who have a close understanding of their customer’s day-to-day operations are especially well-positioned to build value-added offerings around deployment, maintenance and data management,” he said.

RMR opportunities, O’Connor added, could include device provisioning, firmware updates, health monitoring, video retention services and integration with broader video management systems. 

“There’s also value in offering support for data offload, cloud storage, analytics and system health checks. As organizations deploy body-worn cameras, managing the constant stream of video and audio, while ensuring systems remain compliant and up-to-date, becomes an essential need. Integrators who can simplify that experience for the end-user stand to benefit from long-term service relationships and predictable revenue streams,” he said.

Coming attractions: A.I.

Ring said artificial intelligence is a major factor in how bodycam technology is evolving and how data is used, which “could lead to automated incident flagging, predictive analytics for potential risks and more efficient evidence review.”

O’Connor added that power constraints on wearable devices limit the extent to which onboard A.I. can be used. “Today, analytics for body-worn cameras would be more effectively processed in the cloud, where computing resources are less restricted. That said, there is significant potential for third-party developers to build targeted analytics applications, such as aggression detection or compliance monitoring, for body-worn deployments. This area is still emerging, but the groundwork is being laid for more specialized and intelligent solutions,” he said.

Header image: In customer-facing applications, body-worn cameras promote safety and accountability among workers.

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