Name/Title
Three Sussex Police Reveal Media RS2-X2 body worn video cameras and docking station c2018 - 2019Entry/Object ID
2506Description
Three body worn camera units all with top mounted tilt lenses, red coloured side mounted slide switch and marked to the front "Reveal", and a six unit docking station also marked to the front "Reveal". The units are individually marked to the front "HT4392", "HT7673" and "HT3308" and all marked on the lens "RS2-X2 Full 1080P HD". The docking station is marked to the bottom with a bar code PIN number and "Reveal" and "Model: RS2 - X2 DS (MK 4)".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, the RS3-SX 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. They were notable for having the lens on a stalk making them vulnerable. Sussex Police later adopted the 2014 RS2-XS model similar to those pictured, which had a more enclosed stronger lens mounting.
All of these Reveal models had docking stations that would charge the units and allow the downloading of digital footage. 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 using the latest version of the RS2-XS model, 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. To begin with the new pool units were the latest version, of the Reveal model previously used and were identical to those pictured.
In the early 2020s Sussex Police replaced its Reveal Media system with one provided by Motorola.