Using Body-Worn Cameras During Impaired Driving Investigations

As more agencies implement body-worn cameras (BWCs), it’s only natural for law enforcement personnel to utilize them to gather evidence in impaired driving cases. The use of the BWCs in impairment investigations considerably augments evidence gathering capabilities. However, there are certainly some limitations to all BWC systems that users, supervisors, and command staff should be aware. BWCS are not the panacea that some hoped they would be, but they are an effective tool when used with proper training. DUI enforcement is NOT a Hollywood production—the primary goal is gathering evidence. Officers must follow the agency policy and state laws governing the use of BWCs and when it is mandatory to start and stop a recording. So how can BWCs be used most effectively in impaired driving investigations?