Front-facing screens are a unique feature of Reveal body-worn cameras. With scores of body camera models on the market that record covertly, our cameras are designed to calm situations before they escalate. A front-facing screen is an LCD display on the front of the camera the same side as the camera lens that allows either real-time or playback of the footage recorded. Because the person recorded is able to clearly see themselves on the screen it adds transparency to the situation.
This brings a new dynamic to the interaction between the public and law enforcement that is also flexible - the screen and LEDs can be turned off for those situations requiring no illumination capability. Among the benefits of this feature are:. With the D-Series body camera, the stealth mode displays no image on the screen and the flashing red LED light when the screen is active is not lit. The camera in effect appears off as it would for any other body camera left recording without a front-facing screen.
Essentially this creates a multi-purpose tool of body cameras - a multi-purpose tool that can be used in different settings. As a police officer of Pasadena PD puts it:. The benefits of Reveal's D-Series, with its signature front body cameras, are perhaps best illustrated by the people that use them. Over the years we have had feedback from a number of customers who have each found their own unique benefits of the front-facing screen:.
The devices also had a positive impact on behavior. We found once someone was aware they were being recorded, their behavior changed — in some cases, it helped diffuse aggressive situations. It stops situations getting to the point of violence. Most of the time people notice it [the Reveal body camera] without me having to say anything.
Sometimes just by pointing at the display, they can see themselves and they realize they are being filmed [and] they just leave once they see the camera. This time, with the camera, he was looking at himself on the front-facing screen for the whole incident, instead of looking at me, his focus was on the camera. The front-facing screen on the body cameras is very useful. It reflects the attitude and captures the behavior of the person being subjected to the different drug tests.
