The Atlanta Department of Corrections has deployed police body cameras for corrections offers. Atlanta will deploy Utility’s BodyWorn camera technology.
The Atlanta Department of Corrections purchased 130 BodyWorn units. Utility’s technology includes triggers such as a built-in accelerometer and voice-activated recording. Police departments will be able to configure the cameras according to their own internal privacy policies. BodyWorn’s Wi-Fi and 4G LTE service automatically uploads recorded video to a police department’s cloud-based storage system for video management. The service also enables real-time communication between corrections officers and Central Dispatch so officers are aware of alerts.
The cameras also have an interesting feature that automatically redacts faces, body parts and other objects in a video to protect inmate and officer privacy. The software can selectively blur or “unblur” images based on need; users’ specific privacy-policy restrictions; and local, state and federal laws.
In addition to BodyWorn, the Atlanta Department of Corrections also purchased Rocket vehicle routers and in-car video systems. Rocket equips the department’s transport vehicles secure wireless internet capabilities for up to 1,500 feet around the vehicle while the in-car video systems monitor detainees during transport. This system allows the department to monitor and document interactions between correctional facility staff and inmates during the transportation process.
The broader Atlanta Police Department is also involved in a contentious pilot to expand body cameras to the rest of the police force with Atlanta-based Utility. Utility filed suit at the end of last year after the city attempted to sole source a body camera pilot project to another contractor. That pilot program has effectively been put on hold pending the outcome of the lawsuit.
According to Atlanta Magazine, the police department attempted to give the project over to TASER. The amounts to a $1.3 million contract for 1,250 body cameras.
The full text of the Utility complaint is available here.
