Our world today is undoubtedly driven by technology, and no field is left untouched, not even law enforcement. One critical technological advancement that gained significant traction in 2018 is the use of police body cameras. In this blog, we will deep dive into some of the best police body cameras released in that year, discussing their features, benefits, and how they've impacted law enforcement operations.

Why Body Cameras Matter

Police body cameras are a relatively new addition to the law enforcement toolkit, becoming more prevalent in the past few years. By being attached to an officer's uniform, these devices can record interactions between law enforcement and the public, providing crucial evidence and helping to increase transparency and build public trust.

The Leaders of 2018

In 2018, several body cameras stood out in the market, either due to their innovative features, durability, or effectiveness in operation. Here are some of the leaders:

The Axon Body 2 Camera

The successor of the original Axon body camera, the [Axon Body 2](https://www.axon.com/products/body-2), received numerous accolades in 2018. With its full-shift battery life, wide field of view, and pre-event buffer that can capture 30 seconds of video before the record button is pressed, this device gave officers reliable and extensive coverage. Incredibly durable, the Axon Body 2 could function in various weather conditions and challenging environments. Not to forget its high-definition video recording capability, enhancing evidence collection significantly.

The Wolfcom 3rd Eye Police Body Camera

Another impressive contender, the [Wolfcom 3rd Eye](http://wolfcomusa.com/wolfcom-3rd-eye/), boasted almost 18 hours of continuous recording, thanks to its durable battery life. This commodity also offered sophisticated features such as GPS Tracking and Night Vision, enhancing police operations in lower visibility conditions. The Wolfcom 3rd Eye even had the capacity to take still photos while recording, a pretty useful feature for law enforcement.

WatchGuard Vista Body Camera

No less impressive was the [WatchGuard Vista](http://www.watchguardvideo.com/body-cameras/vista) body camera, known for its efficient integration with in-car systems. Its "Record After the Fact" technology could retrieve video from events that occurred up to days before-even if the camera hadn't been activated during that time. Complementing this was an intuitive user interface, making it user-friendly for officers in the field.

Impact of Body Cameras

While there have been heated debates on the utilization of police body cameras, they've undeniably played a role in ensuring accountability, protecting officers from false complaints, and enhancing community relations. Perhaps more interestingly, these devices can act as silent trainers, allowing law enforcement agencies to review footage and use it as a learning tool for new recruits and serving officers.

The Future of Body Cameras

Looking ahead, we can anticipate further advancements in police body camera technology, spurred by the constant push for transparency, accountability, and effectiveness in law enforcement activities. Hopefully, devices introduced in subsequent years will build upon the precedent set by these 2018 models, incorporating enhancements in areas such as battery life, video quality, data storage, and security.

As 2018 has shown, the 'best' body camera is, in many ways, a matter of fit:How well can a given device meet the unique needs and challenges of the specific law enforcement context in which it is used? Placing officers' needs at the heart of technological innovation and advancements, the industry should continue to evolve, stretching the boundaries of what police body cameras can achieve.

Indeed, while the Axon Body 2, Wolfcom 3rd Eye, and WatchGuard Vista were leaders in 2018, one must not forget that the field of body cameras is continually evolving. Thus, the best is yet to come.