Currently, all sworn officers and select civilian staff use body-worn cameras. This system works with the patrol car video and interview room systems.  

Body-worn cameras help officers carry out their duties and stay safe. The camera recordings document the facts of interactions. They increase public trust and help with prosecutions and civil actions. 

Department policy requires sworn officers use body-worn cameras when responding to a call for service. This means that cameras record all investigation-related interactions. This includes transports and proactive enforcement contacts.

Officers only activate body-worn cameras when investigating or responding to a call. Sometimes, body-worn cameras are inactive. For example, school resource officers in a school would not activate their body-worn cameras. Neither would officers on foot or car patrol who aren't responding to a call.

 The system we use, Getac, does not have biometric or facial recognition capabilities.  

Once a body-worn camera records a video, it automatically uploads onto a server. The system associates the video with its call for service. The system has an audit trail. The trail cannot be modified and doesn't allow any unauthorized edits or deletions.

Please reach out if you have any questions about the Bozeman Police Department’s body worn camera program. You can email us at bwc@bozeman.net. You can also view the policy that covers body worn cameras.