How can body-worn cameras support staff training?

Richard Hattam, Body Worn Camera Specialist at Radiocoms Systems Ltd, explains how recordings can play a crucial role in raising workplace safety standards, supporting compliance, and helping organisations reduce accidents through evidence-based training and review.

Body-worn cameras, once primarily used by police and emergency services, have now become an essential tool in industries such as healthcare, retail, hospitality, rail, parking enforcement, and delivery services. This initiative, alongside a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of anti-social behaviour – whether physical or verbal – ensures a safer and more respectful environment for everyone.

So how can body cams help staff training?

Alongside training employees on how to use body-worn cameras and when to activate them, previously captured footage is integral to enhancing staff training. It provides real-world insights into daily interactions, equipping employees with the knowledge needed to handle the challenges they face on the job.

This nurturing environment fosters both accountability and transparency in company standards. By improving training and aftercare, employees feel safer and supported, leading to higher motivation, productivity and ultimately boosting employee retention.

Here are seven examples of how body cams can contribute to effective staff training:

1. Authentic training material

Body-worn cameras capture real-time interactions and scenarios, providing genuine, practical examples for training sessions. Trainees can observe how colleagues handle challenging situations as they actually happened.

Key benefits: Enhances practical context for training, helps reinforce key concepts, and bridges the gap between theory and practice.

Example: In retail, employees can view recordings of real customer service encounters to understand how to manage complaints effectively.

2. Self-assessment and reflection

Staff can review their own recorded activities to spot strengths and areas needing improvement. This empowers individuals to take charge of their own professional development, promoting a culture of continuous learning.

Key benefits: Encourages self-awareness, increases confidence, and motivates staff to refine their skills independently.

Example: By regularly reviewing footage of their interactions with guests, hospitality staff can not only adjust their approach but also further improve their communication style.

3. Evidence-based feedback

Supervisors and trainers can use actual footage to give precise, constructive feedback based on real incidents. This ensures feedback is objective and directly relevant to the employee’s actions, rather than hypothetical or generic.

Key benefits: Makes feedback more effective and fair, helps target specific skills, and aids professional growth.

Example: Parking enforcement officers can review their responses to public queries, providing tangible points for discussion on compliance and professionalism.

4. Standardised training practices

Using the same footage for training means all staff see high-quality examples and clearly understand organisational standards and expectations, helping to create consistency across teams and departments.

Key benefits: Reduces variability in training, upholds company standards, and clarifies expected behaviours.

Example: In healthcare, footage can be routinely used as standard reference material for patient interactions. As a result, employees are more likely to follow the same procedures and maintain consistent standards of care.

5. Communication and de-escalation skills

Reviewing recorded interactions highlights effective communication, teamwork, and conflict management techniques. Staff can learn how to handle tense situations calmly and resolve issues appropriately.

Key benefits: Improves clarity in conversations, reduces workplace conflict, and boosts customer satisfaction.

Example: Security staff can see how colleagues successfully de-escalate heated exchanges and learn strategies of how to apply them in their own roles.

6. Strengthening safety protocols and accountability

Incident recordings are invaluable in identifying safety hazards, assessing procedures, and developing improved safety measures. Regular review of body-worn camera footage helps teams adopt best practices and reduce workplace accidents.

Key benefits: Raises safety standards, reduces incidents, supports fair investigations, and encourages adherence to guidelines.

Example: In transport and logistics, reviewing footage of stock handling ensures manual handling procedures are followed and helps minimise accidents. In parking enforcement, footage can confirm that a Penalty Charge Notice was issued correctly in accordance with regulations.

7. Reliable documentation for audits and reviews

Having a precise video record of events supports audits, ongoing evaluations, and learning reviews. It creates a clear, unbiased trail that can be used for process improvement, refresher training, and dispute resolution.

Key benefits: Maintains transparency, supports auditing, and provides a trustworthy reference in case of queries or complaints.

Example: In retail, managers can regularly review footage to assess adherence to customer service protocols during spot checks or, additionally, as part of performance reviews.

In conclusion, while body worn video offer significant training advantages, it is crucial to address privacy concerns and comply with relevant laws. Organisations should establish clear guidelines on usage, storage, and access to footage, ensuring transparency and protecting the rights of all involved.

The BS 8593:2017 Code of Practice is a good starting point for using body-worn video technology. It follows the 12 principles of the Surveillance Camera Code,, ensuring the rollout is justified, suitable, and respects the privacy of those being recorded.

You can learn more about body worn cameras and Radiocoms here.  Alternatively, please email sales@radiocoms.co.uk or call 033 3939 022.