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Utility Releases White Paper on Generation 2 Body-Worn Cameras
[October 02, 2014]

Utility Releases White Paper on Generation 2 Body-Worn Cameras


ATLANTA --(Business Wire)--

Utility Associates, Inc., the industry leader in Critical Connectivity and Mobile Video for First Responders, today announced the publication of a white paper on the issues faced by law enforcement agencies regarding body-worn cameras. The white paper highlights the gap in emerging video camera technology in Generation 2 body-worn cameras and the body-worn cameras for police officers currently on the market.

"We see the Generation 1 body-worn cameras currently available for public safety as outdated and with limited usefulness in critical situations. Generation 2 body-worn cameras with automatic recording triggers, real-time connectivity, secure video file formats, and integrated GPS is the minimum viable product," said Robert McKeeman, CEO and Chairman of Utility Associates, Inc. "Body-worn cameras for First Responders need to be reliable, secure and integrated into the broader Evidence EcosystemTM to effectively meet the needs of Public Safety and citizen privacy rights today."

Some of the limitations of Generation 1 body-worn cameras listed in the white paper include relying on officers to remember to manually turn cameras on before critical situations, low-resolution video capture, video storage in common file formats that can be easily uploaded to YouTube (News - Alert) and other Social Media web sites, and lack of real-time connectivity to vehicles, supervisors, and command centers.

The white paper introduces key features of Generation 2 body-worn camera technology critical to officers in the field, including:

  • Automatic triggers to start recording under certain conditions, such as integration with vehicle In-Car Video system triggers such as siren, lightbar, doors and weapons rack.
  • Secure video file formats tha cannot be viewed or edited with common video viewing and editing software.
  • Live video streaming to central dispatch, supervisors and video integration centers directly from the camera
  • Automatic recording starts based upon entry and exit from Geofence zones
  • Real-time distribution of BOLO, Amber, Silver, and other alerts directly to the Generation 2 body-worn camera
  • More information and a copy of the white paper is available on www.bodyworn.com



"Recent news coverage of events involving law enforcement officers being shot while wearing body-worn cameras, but where the camera was not turned on, sheds light into the shortcomings of Generation 1 body-worn cameras in today's high-tech Public Safety community," said Ted Davis, President and Chief Technology Officer of Utility Associates, Inc. "Generation 2 body-worn cameras are practical, reliable and cost effective public safety technology. These devices automatically record when an Incident is triggered, and report relevant data so police officers can focus on the situation and their personal safety, while at the same time protecting citizen privacy rights."

Utility has advanced the field of wireless connectivity with its industry leading mobile communications technology, such as the Rocket® Vehicle Router and CORE digital multimedia and connectivity system. The company plans to unveil a Generation 2 body-worn camera at Booth 759 at the International Association of Chiefs of Police conference in Orlando on October 25, 2014. For more information and to see the Ultimate Witness Bodyworn countdown timer, visit www.bodyworn.com.


About Utility, Inc.

Utility sells AVaiL Web video management and situational awareness software as a service, CORE video recorder and connectivity systems, and Rocket vehicle wireless routers for First Responders, Transit Agencies and Utilities. All products are designed and manufactured in the USA. Utility is venture capital-backed by Braemar Energy Ventures. For more information, visit www.utility.com, www.bodyworn.com or www.UltimateWitness.com web sites.


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