Body Camera Use Policies – Best Practices for Law Enforcement

Body-worn cameras (BWC) have become essential tools for law enforcement accountability, evidence gathering, and officer safety. To support agencies building or refining their policies, MAXSUR has compiled a list of best practices based on standards developed by leading police organizations and lessons learned in the field. These recommendations are presented in a chronological format for easy adoption into your agency’s standard operating procedures.

Beginning of Shift

• All assigned officers must wear and use their body cameras.
• Cameras must be fully charged before duty.
• Devices must be tested for functionality prior to deployment.

When to Record

• All officer-to-citizen contacts.
• Warrant executions, arrests, and exigent actions from beginning to end.
• During crime scene investigations or evidence collection.

When It’s Acceptable Not to Record

• Victim interviews where privacy or trauma sensitivity is critical.
• Confidential informant interviews (must annotate when recording is stopped mid-stream).

When and What Not to Record

• Breaks and off-duty periods.
• By request in situations with a reasonable expectation of privacy (e.g., inside homes, attorney/client meetings).
• Sensitive government meetings or offices where recording is restricted.

End of Shift

• All footage must be downloaded to secure storage.
• Video files must be centrally stored and safeguarded against tampering.
• Cameras must be charged and maintained for readiness.
• Devices must not be used for personal purposes.

Managing Footage

• Footage retention must comply with governing laws and agency policies.
• Files should be backed up following best data security practices.
• Each file must include patrol ID, unit ID, and time/date stamps.
• Access to files must follow strict chain of custody procedures.
• Video can be used for supervisory review and officer self-assessment.

Next Steps for Agencies

Adopting proper body camera policies ensures evidence integrity, builds public trust, and improves officer accountability. MAXSUR offers both technology and guidance to agencies of all sizes—whether you need a few units or a scalable enterprise solution.

Explore our full lineup of police body cameras or contact us directly for assistance.

Contact MAXSUR
Phone: 314-270-2150
Email: ops@maxsur.com