Actionable steps for incorporating real-time technology into your policy and standard operating procedure
Where are your officers? What do they see? Is there an escalation? Is backup needed? Did they draw their weapons?
Having the answers to those questions in real-time can make the difference in driving safer outcomes. Seamless access to this critical information empowers timely, informed actions that shape effective resolutions.
Connected capabilities through Axon devices, such as live locations, alerts, and streaming; automatic activation; and priority evidence offload; provide this actionable insight to boost officer safety and operational effectiveness in the moment. As with any new technology, it can be difficult to know where to start with building a policy and incorporating it into your SOP, so we’ve brought together a few key tips from law enforcement policy experts to help.
Understand your use cases
How can you use real-time information for safer outcomes? There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to using connected camera capabilities, but these use cases offer a starting point for empowering officers with more resources and support in the field:
Keep officers safer: When officers are in potentially dangerous scenarios, such as a foot pursuit with an armed subject, or a vehicle pursuit in which they get lost, supervisors can find their location via the camera’s GPS and guide help toward them or provide a second set of eyes over live stream for greater safety.
Stay informed in SWAT situations or large events: In hostage, armed barricade, or large scale event scenarios needing planning and strong coordination, confirm location and status of your human assets, and gain direct visibility into unfolding scenes for more effective responses.
Force-multiply in real-time: Real-time video feeds provide additional perspectives remotely, aiding informed decision-making on backup needs and allows supervisors to offer live guidance and training to new officers.
Access specialized support: Utilize external experts (e.g., mental health professionals, translators) to assist in de-escalation, maintaining a safe distance for non-sworn personnel.
Improve decision-making: Officers are empowered to request live streams directly from their camera, giving a clear signal that they need support. Supervisors gain critical insight through clear, reliable visuals as opposed to fragmented communication channels, and can reduce the need to tie up radio channels to get information.
Capture evidence reliably: Ensure critical incidents are recorded with connected features like automatic CAD-based Remote Camera Activation, minimizing the risk of missed evidence.
Reduce paperwork for faster work: Expedite priority evidence offload in the field and start reports with Draft One transcription, maximizing ROI from camera investments while supporting operational efficiency.
Understand the technology
Real-time connected capabilities like live streaming enhance officer safety but are often misunderstood. Supervisors can join a live stream only if the camera is actively recording, not drop in to observe an officer’s actions without their full awareness. Footage that would otherwise be viewed after the fact can be used to make informed decisions in the moment and drive a safer outcome. Officers can initiate live streaming to proactively request support, fostering a collaborative approach to safety. These tools are designed to enhance efficiency and safety, not as surveillance tools.
Learn more about how connected capabilities keep officers safe while also ensuring privacy.
Develop a policy
With use cases established, the next step is creating a policy for the effective use of connected capabilities. When crafting your policy, consider:
Features: Determine what set of connected capabilities — Remote Camera Activation, live locations, alerts, streaming, bidirectional communications, and/or officer-initiated live stream requests — will help with your agency’s goals.
Access: Define who has mandatory and discretionary access to live data.
Procedures: Outline actions and documentation required during monitored incidents.
Accountability: Establish consequences for unauthorized use.
Want a policy starting point? Access our complimentary policy sample template for body-worn cameras, in-car cameras, and Respond connected capabilities at the bottom of this article. Feel free to download the document and edit it directly to adapt it according to your agency’s needs and guidance.
Please note: Agencies are solely responsible for their own Guidance. "Guidance" includes policy, customer, procedure, rule, order, directive, training, continuum, and standard. Axon has no authority to mandate Guidance, set policy, require training, or establish standards of care or conduct. Axon does not recommend or advocate for specific policies and each agency must craft their own policies in compliance with federal, state, and local laws and department guidance.
Make it standard procedure
Effective implementation requires team buy-in and clear communication. Open dialogue and thorough training are essential to maximizing benefits and ensuring compliance with policies. Regular updates and practice sessions help you integrate policies into everyday operations. This approach ensures technology supports officer safety effectively while maintaining trust and adherence to policies.
Using your policy, clearly show officers how live capabilities will be used, how they won’t, and how they’ll keep officers safer. Don’t let your new policy sit to the side — make it a living, breathing part of your agency’s training and SOP by documenting, communicating, practicing, and implementing your use cases. The Axon team is here to help you along the way.
ACCESS YOUR POLICY TEMPLATE TODAY
Click above to download the policy template as food for thought to accelerate your agency’s journey toward more real-time information and heightened office safety. Have questions, or want to discuss in more depth? Contact your Axon representative.
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