Navigating The Digital Evidence Storm
“Gathering digital evidence is increasing in scope and complexity.”
While there's a desire to provide more transparency in law enforcement, the logistics behind Digital Evidence Management can be overwhelming. This is especially true for smaller departments that lack the resources, and even the technical expertise to offer this solution.
When asked his opinion on body cameras, one officer told me “I wish more cops wore cameras. It would help us with the bad guys, and provide the community with a better sense of accountability from law enforcement. It would end the careers of so-called ‘bad cops’. We’re here to protect and serve, and body cameras would assist us in doing so.”
I quickly asked myself...
“Why hasn’t every law enforcement agency in the U.S. adopted this?”
The answer is actually simple (on the surface at least). Adding more devices and more data means more work, and traditionally, more cost.
So now that we’re on the topic of cost, let’s talk about redaction. Redaction laws vary by State -- but this is basically the process of blurring-out faces, or blacking-out sensitive information in evidence videos. For instance, in a video depicting a crime suspect, the faces of minors or sex crime victims could be blurred to protect their privacy. Redaction gathers certain details from each frame and either highlights, or removes these elements as necessary. The process traditionally involves someone viewing every frame of the video, and manually editing each element.
Many agencies are using private firms to redact video, simply because they lack the resources to do it themselves. Some agencies have even hired full-time staff to redact video – at an enormous cost to the department. To make matters worse, some states require all footage be made readily available to the public upon request. Let me repeat that, if you take the footage – the State can require that you make a redacted version available to the public…at any time. This can require hundreds or thousands of hours of redaction services.
Once video evidence is redacted, what about storage? Where are you going to store this information so that it’s safe, secure and readily available upon request?
Here's what I've learned...
Software is the key to the success of Digital Evidence Management.
There are a number of gadgets available to collect the data, but managing the data securely and cost-effectively is the answer.
Another important consideration is the company behind your software. Do they have years of proven success integrating devices, software and security? Are they a technology leader? What does the future look like for this firm offering software & devices? Does the software platform integrate into other systems such as CAD?
I believe Motorola Solutions has developed the best answer to these problems: DEMS (Digital Evidence Management Software). Meet Command Central Vault. They’ve partnered with one of the most innovative leaders in the software industry, Adobe?, to create a turn-key solution – and their solution falls nothing short of amazing. These are two wildly successful pioneers, in devices and in software, coming together to fix a complex problem for law enforcement.
Auto-redaction is just one key feature you’ll find inside the Motorola DEMS solution. Automatic redaction works by selecting a single object, and the software automatically redacts that object across all frames simultaneously. This saves the department potentially thousands of hours manually redacting footage, therefore reducing cost and risk exponentially. Video is uploaded to secure cloud-based servers where it remains safely and securely until you need it. The software platform is CJIS compliant and meets the highest security standards that exist today.
The device isn’t too shabby either… The Motorola Si300/Si500 video speaker mic recently won the Red Dot Design award in 2016. The devices are Bluetooth Capable, and powered by Android, allowing officers to playback video on-scene. The Si500 features a beautifully designed, rugged touch screen.
Did I mention it’s also a speaker mic? Ask any officer and they’ll tell you they don’t want to carry another device or tool. Motorola’s answer to this problem:
Let’s replace something they already use, with something better.
The speaker mic/camera has 5 built-in microphones allowing crystal-clear audio and recording. Other useful features are coming, but Motorola isn't talking about what future "magic" might be in store for the Si500.
In closing, I truly believe that people behave differently when they know they’re being recorded. It’s also much more difficult to lie about an encounter, knowing the officer has recorded everything you do or say. Without a doubt -- this technology will assist in protecting our officers in the field. With newer devices like the Motorola Si500 body camera -- footage cannot be edited, deleted or altered in the field. In fact, in some cases it’s even automatically uploaded to the secure DEMS servers.
Whether under pressure from the community, municipal insurance companies or State and Local officials -- departments are seeing increased pressure to carry body cameras.
Selection of the physical device is important, but the most important piece is selecting the Digital Evidence Management solution that will power your devices now, and well into the future.
You can learn more about DEMS from Motorola Solutions by visiting the link below, or call me anytime and I’d be happy to consult with you on navigating the Digital Evidence Management storm.
https://www.motorolasolutions.com/en_us/solutions/digital-evidence-management-solution.html
Justin Sterrett
Day Wireless Systems
(509) 209-3073