Name/Title
Sussex Police Reveal Media RS3-SX body worn video camera c2011Entry/Object ID
2535Description
Body worn camera unit with top mounted tilt lens on a stalk, red coloured side mounted slide switch and marked to the front "Reveal Media RS3-SX HD" and to the rear "S/N RS3SA1822".Use
For police officers to record relevant interactions with the publicContext
Following successful trials between 2008 and 2010, Sussex Police was keen to extend the use of body worn video. There was a requirement for a more compact unit than the early "Tactical Electronics" ones that were currently in use and a new supplier Reveal Media was adopted. Over the next few years a series of combined camera/recording units from the company were used. These were far more compact that those previously used and had the advantage of more sophisticated "backroom" systems, allowing integrated digital recording and downloading facilities.
The first generation of these Reveal units used by Sussex Police, was the RS3-SX shown here, which was developed in 2011. These were not personal issue and were used on a pool basis, with enough available for all officers on duty at any one time to be able to use one. This model is notable for having the lens on a stalk. This was found to make them vulnerable and later models provided the lens with more protection. All of these Reveal models had docking stations that would charge the units and allow the downloading of digital footage.
In 2014 Reveal introduced the RS2-XS model which was subsequently adopted by Sussex Police.
The continuing challenge with body worn video cameras was not so much the actual camera and recording equipment but instead the back up facilities to easily transfer recorded data to evidence that can be used in court cases.
By 2018 a decision was made to equip body worn video cameras to all Sussex uniform officers on a personal issue basis using the latest version of the RS2-XS, the rollout being completed in 2019. The units themselves continued to work well but over time issues began to develop resulting from the personal issue system. The main problem was the fact that too many units were not in regular use, as they were only being used when officers were on duty. This meant that often for days on end they were not being used or charged and it was found that this led to significant battery degradation.
The solution was to cease personal issue units and to rely on a pool system of fewer but far better maintained ones, as more regular use and charging ensured longer battery life.
In the early 2020s Sussex Police replaced its Reveal Media system with one provided by Motorola.