The Missing Piece in Most Body Camera Programs

Why a solid policy isn’t just important—it’s mission critical.

Body cameras are a modern law enforcement standard. Agencies rely on them to protect officers, strengthen public trust, and document interactions in the field. But time and again, departments run into issues—not because of the camera itself, but because they skipped the most important first step: policy.

In a recent Space for Knowledge episode, Sheriff (Ret.) John Boyd of Utility, Inc., Chief (Ret.) Mike Ranalli of Lexipol and Lt. James Coonce of the Alachua County Florida Sheriff’s Office broke it down plainly: no policy, no program—at least not one that works.

Start with Policy—Not the Camera

Chief Ranalli said it best: “The policy has to come before the cameras.” When agencies implement body cameras without first defining how and when they’re to be used, the result is often confusion, inconsistent application, internal frustration—and even legal risk.

Lt. Coonce shared that when his agency launched their body camera program, they reviewed sample policies from other departments—but most were too vague. “We had to tweak them constantly to make them fit our needs,” he said. Now, they review and revise their policy regularly based on real-world feedback.

Effective policies are specific and leave little room for interpretation. For example, vague directive such as “Use the body camera as appropriate,” yields too much individual interpretation. Increased policy clarity of: “Officers shall activate the body cameras during all law enforcement-related citizen contacts” provides consistency in camera use and officer accountability. This level of clarity helps officers know exactly what's expected and projects the department from ambiguity when footage is reviewed or challenged.
That level of clarity helps officers know exactly what’s expected and protects the department from ambiguity when footage is reviewed or challenged.

Need help getting started or policy expertise? Lexipol provides state-specific, customizable policy templates that reflect current laws, best practices, and operational realities that can assist you at any policy stage.

Don’t Just Train on the Button—Train the Mindset

Too often, agencies roll out tech with minimal training—usually just the basics of turning it on and wearing it properly. But that’s not enough.

“As a trainer, I’ve learned you need to explain why something matters if you want it to stick,” said Chief Ranalli. “When officers understand the purpose, they’re more likely to embrace it.”

Lt. Coonce admitted that deputies were hesitant at first. “They thought it was ‘big brother,’” he said. “But when complaints were dismissed thanks to the footage, it changed their attitude.”

Bottom line: explain the why, not just the how.  

Data Management: The Hidden Strain

Buying cameras is easy. Managing the mountain of video they generate? Not so much.

Chief Ranalli strongly cautioned against self-hosted systems. “There’s no way I’d want to put that burden on my agency’s IT team,” he said. Alachua County turned to POLARIS by Utility™, a CJIS-compliant platform that tracks every action with full audit trails. “Everything you touch is logged,” Coonce noted. “That transparency helps in court—and with public trust.”

If your evidence system isn’t built for law enforcement, it’s only a matter of time before it becomes a problem.

Transparency, Privacy, and Redaction

Officers often ask: What if I record something I’m not supposed to?

Lt. Coonce encourages deputies to prioritize safety and let the department handle redaction. “Florida law allows us to protect sensitive content during public records requests,” he said. “We’d rather have the footage and redact it than miss something critical.”

Chief Ranalli emphasized the importance of pairing your BWC policy with a strong records and redaction policy. “It’s not just about the camera—it’s about managing the data legally and ethically,” he said.

Coaching with Cameras

BWC footage isn’t just a tool for transparency—it’s a training goldmine.

“You can’t fix what you don’t see,” Chief Ranalli said. Reviewing footage allows supervisors to spot safety concerns, gaps in communication, and moments worth teaching. “This isn’t about discipline—it’s about development.”

Lt. Coonce has seen deputies improve dramatically under the system. “The ones who used to skate the line are now more professional, more active, more accountable,” he said.  

Trust Begins with Policy

A bodyworn camera program is only as good as the policy behind it. That policy shapes how your officers operate, how your community sees your agency, and how well you’re prepared for the legal, technical, and cultural realities of digital evidence.

Get the policy right—and everything else follows.

“Policy gives you direction. It gives your officers confidence. And it gives your community peace of mind.” – Chief Mike Ranalli

Want a sample policy, grant support, or policy demo?
Visit Lexipol.com or scan the QR code at the end of our Space for Knowledge episode to get started.  

Looking for a bodyworn camera built for real law enforcement work?
Check out EOS by Utility™—our rugged, reliable, and purpose-built BWC that integrates seamlessly with POLARIS, an incident and evidence management system. Streamline your evidence capture, improve officer safe, and maintain data integrity with full chain of custody.  

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