Introduction

Body-worn cameras (BWCs) capture crucial evidence that supports police accountability, transparency, and legal proceedings. One of the most common questions agencies face is: how long should footage be retained?

Determining retention periods requires balancing legal requirements, operational needs, and public trust. Understanding best practices helps departments develop policies that protect sensitive information while ensuring evidence is available when needed.

Legal and Policy Requirements

Retention periods are often dictated by federal, state, or local regulations. Agencies must consider:

• State public records laws or Sunshine Acts

• Criminal and civil case statutes of limitations

• Department-specific BWC policies

Many agencies set different retention periods based on incident type:

• Routine patrol footage: shorter retention (e.g., 90–180 days)

• Use-of-force or officer-involved incidents: longer retention (e.g., several years)

• Footage with potential litigation or ongoing investigations: retained until case resolution

Keywords: BWC retention, body-camera policies, legal requirements, police video storage, evidence retention

Consider Operational Needs

Retention policies should align with agency workflow and investigative requirements:

• Access for internal reviews and officer training

• Availability for prosecutor and court requests

• Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) storage capacity

Balancing operational needs with storage limitations ensures cost-effective and efficient evidence management.

Keywords: DEMS retention, operational evidence management, body-camera storage, law enforcement efficiency, police technology planning

Protect Privacy and Civilian Data

Long-term storage increases the need for data protection:

• Redact sensitive information before public release

• Apply encryption to prevent unauthorized access

• Limit access to authorized personnel only

Privacy considerations ensure compliance with civilian rights and legal standards, maintaining public trust.

Keywords: BWC privacy, encrypted storage, redaction, civilian data protection, secure video management

Establish Clear Retention Schedules

Clear retention schedules help agencies:

• Reduce storage costs

• Minimize administrative burden

• Avoid accidental deletion of critical evidence

Many agencies implement tiered retention policies:

• Short-term storage for general patrol recordings

• Medium-term for routine incident investigations

• Long-term for serious incidents, litigation, or public records requests

Keywords: retention schedule, body-camera evidence, DEMS policy, video lifecycle management, police accountability

Review and Update Policies Regularly

Technology, legal requirements, and operational needs evolve. Agencies should:

• Audit retention compliance periodically

• Update policies based on new laws or departmental guidelines

• Ensure staff are trained on proper retention and deletion procedures

Regular review ensures footage management remains compliant, secure, and practical.

Keywords: BWC policy review, evidence compliance, video retention best practices, body-camera management, law enforcement technology

Conclusion

The question of how long to keep body-camera footage is both a legal and operational decision. Agencies must balance:

• Compliance with laws and regulations

• Efficient use of DEMS and storage resources

• Privacy protection for civilians and officers

• Availability of footage for investigations, training, and legal proceedings

By implementing tiered retention schedules, secure storage, and clear policies, law enforcement agencies can ensure that BWCs continue to support transparency, accountability, and public trust.

Keywords: BWC retention policy, body-camera storage, police accountability, DEMS management, secure evidence retention