Policing.uk
Body-worn video
- Complaints
A video and audio recording device worn by police officers to capture their interactions with the public. The College of Policing has published authorised professional practice on the use of body-worn video. Recordings may be used as evidence in criminal proceedings, in misconduct investigations, and to review officer performance.
In practice
Officers are generally required to activate body-worn video at the start of public-facing encounters and to inform the person that they are being recorded. Footage is stored on a secure platform and subject to retention schedules. In complaints investigations, BWV is routinely reviewed. The absence of BWV footage where it should have been recorded may itself be the subject of scrutiny.
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Last updated 24 September 2026