Body-worn cameras (BWCs) and Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems have become cornerstones of modern policing. One captures critical footage in the field, the other coordinates real-time response. But when these systems operate independently, agencies miss a major opportunity: the power to seamlessly connect what’s recorded with what’s reported.
Integrating CAD with body cameras closes this gap—creating a unified, time-synced picture of every incident. It’s a shift that helps law enforcement not only work more efficiently, but also more transparently.
Bridging the Disconnect
In many agencies today, CAD and BWC systems operate in parallel, but not in true coordination. Dispatchers record call details and assign units, while body cameras begin capturing footage once officers arrive on the scene.
However, connecting those two streams of data—linking the video to the originating call—is often left to a manual process, if it happens at all. This disconnect introduces risk at several levels: patrol officers must remember to tag or log footage after the fact, which opens the door to mislabeled, misplaced, or entirely overlooked video files.
Supervisors and investigators are often left cross-referencing CAD timestamps with BWC recordings, wasting valuable time and potentially missing key information. Without integration, critical context around incidents is delayed—or worse, lost entirely.
What Digital Evidence Integration Looks Like
With a connected system, CAD calls and body-worn camera footage are automatically linked through metadata. When a unit is dispatched to an incident, the system can:
- Trigger the camera to begin recording (depending on vendor setup).
- Tag the video with incident number, date/time, officer ID, and location.
- Automatically attach video records to the relevant case in the RMS.
This creates a continuous digital chain—from dispatch to evidence management—without extra steps for the officer in the field.
Operational Benefits for Officers & Agencies
Faster, More Accurate Documentation
When footage is tied to CAD events automatically, officers spend less time logging or searching for the right clip later. This reduces clerical work, improves response times, and improves the accuracy of incident reports—especially in high-pressure scenarios.
Improved Evidence Integrity & Chain of Custody
Integrated systems ensure video files are securely stored and linked at the moment of capture. This preserves the chain of custody, simplifies retrieval, and strengthens the agency’s position in both internal reviews and legal proceedings.
Greater Accountability & Transparency
Video and dispatch records move in lockstep. That means investigations into use-of-force, citizen complaints, or procedural reviews have access to a complete timeline—without gaps, assumptions, or conflicting records. For the public, this represents a major boost in confidence and oversight.
Real-World Impact: Use Cases & Results
Agencies that implement CAD-body camera integration often report measurable improvements across both operations and public trust:
- Internal investigations are completed faster with pre-linked footage and CAD logs.
- Public records requests are easier to fulfill when video is already matched to case numbers and timestamps.
- Court preparation becomes more efficient with accurate, accessible video evidence tied directly to incident reports.
In short, the integration creates a full digital picture that supports every stage of the policing lifecycle—from dispatch to prosecution.
Considerations When Choosing an Integration-Friendly Platform
If your agency is exploring CAD and body camera integration, it’s important to choose a platform that goes beyond basic connectivity. Look for game-changing solutions that offer native compatibility with leading body-worn camera vendors such as Axon, Utility, or Motorola, ensuring smooth, reliable data exchange.
The platform should also support metadata tagging and CAD-triggered events, enabling footage to be automatically linked to incident records with secure handling throughout the process. Most importantly, it should provide end-to-end workflows that connect CAD, RMS, and digital evidence within a single, unified ecosystem.
These capabilities ensure that your technology supports your operations—rather than complicating them.
How ARMS Bridges CAD & Body Cameras
ARMS is designed to support seamless integration between CAD systems and body-worn cameras. With native support for Axon and other key providers, ARMS enables:
- Automatic tagging of video with CAD incident details—no manual matching required.
- Video-to-case linking in real time, making footage instantly available for supervisors and investigators.
- Secure storage and chain of custody, with full audit trails.
- Field efficiency, letting officers focus on the call—not on the tech.
This integration is part of ARMS’ broader mission to streamline public safety operations by eliminating redundancy, improving accuracy, and building trust through transparency.
A Smarter Way to Serve and Protect
Bringing CAD and body camera systems together isn’t just a technical upgrade—it’s a strategic move that strengthens evidence, protects your officers, and builds community confidence.
Contact ARMS today to learn how our integrated platform can help your agency modernize incident response and digital evidence management with smarter, connected tools.
