Establishing trust and a competitive edge through modern security, by Alan Ring, CEO, HALOS Body Cameras
The security landscape is rapidly evolving, and the stakes are high.
Accountability and transparency are non-negotiable, and scrutiny around how businesses protect people and property continues to increase.
As private security professionals increasingly take the frontline in high-impact environments – from transit hubs to retail centres – they now face many of the same challenges and risks once limited to policing.
Because of this, body-worn cameras (BWCs) are just as warranted in the private sector as they are in the public sector, although the contexts are notably different. In commercial settings, technology works best when it is purpose-built for private sector needs instead of retrofitted from public sector policing tools.
That foundation helps organisations balance trust and transparency with operational flexibility, safeguard data security appropriately and prioritise employee morale.
We’re now at the stage where BWCs are no longer experimental, nor are they widely considered controversial. When deployed thoughtfully, they represent a strategic investment in people, operations and organisational reputation.
From policy-driven to customer-driven
The adoption of BWCs was initially a policy-driven response – one that was a top-down decision made to ensure compliance and/or reduce liability. That driving force has evolved over time.
The demand is now being driven in part by employees, customers and even the public.
Research conducted earlier this year by YouGov and commissioned by HALOS found significant public support regarding the use of BWCs beyond law enforcement.
More than half of UK consumers (55%) said BWCs make them feel safer, and the majority (60%) believe the cameras help deter antisocial behaviour in busy public settings like supermarkets and train stations.
That sentiment holds true across regions. YouGov polled an additional 2,500+ US respondents, and the localised data revealed similar findings.
Roughly three in four American adults said bodycams made them feel safer in public spaces.
The data signals an important shift that body-worn cameras are no longer seen as surveillance tools, but as symbols of accountability and reassurance.
That shift underscores an important message: If an organisation doesn’t have bodycams as part of their safety toolkit, they run the risk of appearing out of step with the public’s expectations.
Customers expect transparency and accountability. And employees do, too.
With BWCs in use, employees know their interactions are being documented objectively. False claims or misunderstandings can be addressed quickly and incidents are evaluated fairly without the “he said, she said” back-and-forth.
The technology becomes a reputational shield of sorts – not just for organisations, but for the individuals who represent them.
Reaching critical mass beyond law enforcement
BWCs are beginning to reach critical mass across a wide range of industries from private security to retail, transportation and large venues like sport and concert arenas. And for good reason.
Take public transport, for example. The British Transport Police Authority reported in 2024 (Rise in reports of violence against women on transport, BBC) that the number of recorded violent crimes against females on the transport network had risen by 20% within a year.
Transit agencies globally are finding BWCs to be useful in contributing to the safety and security of on-board staff and passengers, as well as frontline station personnel.
A leading UK Train Operating Company and HALOS customer put BWCs to the test, equipping rail security officers with the devices.
Since deployment, the company has reported improved interactions between staff and passengers, a reduction in reported incidents and higher morale among officers – many of whom say the cameras give them confidence and peace of mind while performing their duties.
The technology serves as both a deterrent and a bridge, building trust between organisations and the people they serve.
Bolstering culture and retention
A benefit that’s easy to overlook is how BWCs can help reinforce a healthier workplace culture and keep employees longer. What once might have been viewed apprehensively as employee surveillance is now being seen as validation.
A HALOS customer said after their deployment: “The feedback from our employees has been really positive. From day one, our teams have eagerly implemented and utilised the HALOS body-worn cameras across all locations, resulting in significant user uptake across the entire network.”
BWCs have the potential to reinforce fairness and professionalism. They ensure that the employee perspective is protected, not just the customer’s, and that makes team members more engaged.
Greater engagement has a snowball effect: Staff stay longer, perform better and represent their employer with greater confidence.
Reduced turnover also means reduced recruitment and training costs – a series of meaningful pros that go beyond the scope of security. Body-worn cameras also deliver measurable operational gains. Video data can be used for:
- Training and performance improvement – reviewing real-world interactions helps teams identify strengths and areas for further development
- Incident resolution – capturing the full context of an interaction from a staff member’s point of view – including audio – speeds up investigations and reduces administrative burden
- Employee protection – the presence of cameras often has a deterrent effect for would-be offenders and provides clear-cut evidence when disputes or false claims arise
Modern security is both human and data-driven, and BWCs sit right at that intersection. The human element is key – the tech should empower the user, not constrain them. When implemented transparently and with clear communication, BWCs help build cultures of accountability and respect.
BWCs in 2026 and beyond
As we move into a new year, the real value of BWCs will hinge less on the device and more on what organisations can do with the footage – how quickly they can access, analyse and act on it.
Bodycams will increasingly be viewed not just as recorders of incidents but more so as tools that strategically help prevent them.
As for the technology, advances in hardware design, cloud connectivity and AI are making deployment easier, privacy and security more rigorous and insights richer than before.
For example, AI has already enabled automated event detection and real-time alerts.
Cloud connectivity ensures that footage can be accessed and analysed securely from anywhere by authorised individuals. This will continue to transform how evidence is shared and managed and how cases are developed.
At the same time, regulators are providing greater clarity around privacy and data retention standards, encouraging responsible and consistent use across the growing list of industries tapping into BWCs. Bodycams deliver value only when supported by clear rules around how footage is captured, stored and accessed, thus ensuring people are protected, not exposed.
At the centre of this is trust. BWCs serve people as much as they serve operations. The businesses that use them as tools for visibility, fairness and efficiency will not only operate more safely; they’ll also help establish lasting trust from employees and the public.
BWCs have become a defining feature of modern security. In an age where perception often carries as much weight as reality, the ability to demonstrate accountability is a competitive edge.
