Manual Video Review Doesn’t Fail Because of Effort. It Fails Because of Scale.

Most agencies don’t struggle with body-worn camera review because people don’t care.

They struggle because manual review does not scale.

Supervisors and trainers are expected to:

• Watch increasing volumes of footage

• Apply consistent judgment across incidents

• Balance review with operational demands

Over time, subjectivity creeps in—not from bad intent, but from fatigue, time pressure, and inconsistency.

This isn’t a personnel problem. It’s a systems problem. Technology can help with reviewing at scale but it isn't the sole answer. Technology is most effective when it is supported by a BWC program built on effective processes.

Sustainable BWC programs support professional judgment by giving it structure, consistency, and repeatability—so reviewers can focus on meaning, not mechanics.

Principis Group helps agencies address this challenge by working with leadership to procure the appropriate technology and design body-worn camera review programs that are built to function at scale. Through consulting and training, we assist departments in establishing clear processes, review standards, and governance structures that support professional judgment while reducing fatigue, inconsistency, and risk over time.