5 Ways Surveillance is Transforming Policing

1. Accessing partner surveillance feeds remotely

Access to live camera feeds can make a difference when responding swiftly to a reported incident. Hoax calls can be quickly identified, avoiding unnecessary officer deployment. Genuine calls can be assessed quickly to ensure the right level of response is dispatched. Responders can also be kept updated with vital information as an incident unfolds.

However, different parties often own and manage relevant cameras. Surveillance solutions that support remote access via authenticated web-connected devices and systems that leverage DVNP technology address this obstacle. A long-standing Synectics Police customer uses this capability to access footage from multiple stakeholders as part of ‘everyday’ policing and for major event operations.

2. Sharing evidence through the cloud

Cloud-based evidence management solutions allow video footage, audio, data and accompanying notes relevant to an incident to be securely stored in the cloud and shared in real time.

This saves precious time by eliminating the need for officers to visit partner surveillance control rooms to review and download relevant footage. It also means any evidence relating to one incident – even where evidence is captured from different agencies and organisations – can be stored in one place.

This tech note looks at cloud-based evidence sharing in more detail, answering questions about security, data encryption, privacy, and evidence traceability and certification.

3. Viewing body-worn and re-deployable cameras in real time

Control room teams can now easily monitor live footage and audio from mobile devices such as body-worn cameras.

Many forces are considering this capability to better support specialist field teams such as counterterrorism or firearms units. Mobile app technology and comms integration enable real-time information sharing between field operatives and command centres for coordinated incident response and management.

Feeds from temporary re-deployable cameras can also be integrated, enabling police forces to detect and deter crime where hot spots occur.

4. Using AI to assist in investigations and resource allocation

AI-based video analytics tools are increasingly used to support rapid incident investigations. For example, on receiving a report of a person of interest or a missing child, police surveillance teams can use generative AI tools to search live or recorded footage using natural language queries such as ‘show me all footage of children wearing a blue sweater and a cap, carrying a yellow backpack’.

AI can also learn metadata combinations that signify possible criminal activity, such as items left in a known fly-tipping area. As a result, footage can be quickly searched for occurrences.

AI-driven surveillance analysis can also be applied over time to spot incident trends. These insights can then help inform resource allocation, such as where more patrolling officers might be needed or where better street lighting could help prevent assaults.

5. Monitoring police assets and facilities centrally

It’s not just the public that police forces need to protect. Police-operated buildings and assets need security and surveillance solutions, from local stations and custody suites to specialist units and evidence storage facilities.

While local systems are often still necessary at such sites, centralised monitoring of surveillance feeds and site-based systems (such as emergency alarms, sensors, analytics, perimeter detection, and access control) streamlines security management. Police forces can establish an Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) to identify and deal quickly with any threats to facilities.