A defining moment for modern law enforcement has been the introduction and widespread adoption of body-worn cameras. These devices have proven highly effective at maintaining accountability, preserving evidence, and protecting both police officers and the public. Yet, with every technological solution comes an array of unique challenges. For body cameras, a significant challenge is the cost of data storage - a constant and recurring expense that often goes unconsidered in the initial buy-in. This blog will delve into the hidden expenses present in the storage of police body camera footage.

Tackling the Storage Issue: An Ever Escalating Cost

An officer's shift, filled with routine stops, unexpected encounters, or significant events, contributes significantly to the data accumulation problem. Over time, body camera footage from hundreds or even thousands of officers can quickly continue to amass - presenting a veritable data mountain. These high storage demands come with real costs, often recurring monthly or annually, depending on the particular solution.

Options for storing footage are varied. Departments might choose in-house servers, cloud storage solutions, or a hybrid approach. Each has its own cost implications, including equipment purchase, maintenance, cybersecurity measures, and relevant staff wages. A 2016 study from the Police Executive Research Forum found that for many departments, these costs are the most significant expense associated with body camera programs.

The Cloud: A Balancing Act

Cloud storage, which offloads the duty of data storage to third-party companies, has become increasingly popular for managing body camera footage storage. This method eliminates the need for physical server upkeep, reduces the consistent need for new hardware, and promises superior disaster recovery capabilities.

Yet, despite its advantages, cloud storage has substantial financial implications. Companies often charge based on the amount of data kept and the duration for which it needs to be stored, meaning the costs continue to snowball as more footage is accumulated over time. It becomes a balancing act, as departments can quickly find themselves having to question what footage is necessary to keep and for how long.

The Price of Compliance: Legal and Policy Driven Costs

Storage decisions aren't simply about cost-effectiveness; they're also a necessity for compliance. Laws and departmental policies dictate how long footage must be kept, which can drastically impact how much storage is necessary. For example, departments may need to retain footage related to an ongoing investigation, court proceedings, or civilian complaints for years.

These rules often vary by state and even by locality, creating additional hurdles for departments in tracking and managing varying storage timelines for different kinds of footage. This complexity has tangible costs: organizational costs, time, and resources used to maintain such systems, all contributing to the overall storage bill.

Managing Costs: A Future-Focused Strategy

Most departments are experiencing a "cost curve" when it comes to body camera data storage, with the costs increasing each year as the amount of data stored continues to grow. Can this curve be flattened? There's no one-size-fits-all answer yet, but there are emerging strategies that could help tame these rising costs.

One such strategy is tiered storage, in which data is moved to less expensive storage mediums based on its age and how often it's accessed. Another potential solution is edge storage, where footage is stored directly on the cameras themselves until they're needed.

On the policy side, creating carefully crafted policies to include "data lifecycle" rules, where the policies explicitly state the period that certain types of data must be kept can streamline the storage process, making it less resource-intensive and hence less costly.

While these strategies could help manage future costs, departments need to include storage costs in their budget plans from the get-go rather than as an afterthought. Only then will they be fully prepared to handle the immense data management task that comes with adopting body-worn camera technology.

Cities and counties across the world continue to see the value body-worn cameras bring in terms of accountability and protecting their officers. However, the price tag linked with data storage isn't something that can be ignored. It requires thoughtful consideration, planning, and administration to tackle this untold story – a challenge that's just as significant as the upfront camera purchase.

Yet, with strategic planning and a future-focused view, police departments can ensure these powerful accountability tools don't become a looming financial burden. Embracing such approaches will allow departments to make the most of body-worn camera technology and ensure its significant benefits are realized effectively and sustainably.