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Is your Video Surveillance System capable of being 'TRUSTED'©
Let's have a slightly more detailed look at the various stages involved in achieving a video surveillance system that is "TRUSTED" ©. Step 6 is about Procurement
Obviously the degree of complexity in the purchasing process will very much depend on the type of system and of course, the abilities of the eventual contractor. It would be prudent to develop a detailed shopping list for preferred equipment, wherever possible specifying the exact and / or equivalent models required, rather than leaving it up to the supplier to 'find something suitable'. It is recommended that whatever equipment is being sourced, it should be the responsibility of the system operator, to lay down precise requirements and objectives in the System Profile, thereby avoiding any subsequent misunderstandings on the capability of the equipment.
Wherever possible, define requirements (for example, we need to clearly identify an individuals face at this point, at any time throughout the day or night), rather than insisting on an abstract camera sensitivity figure (e.g. 0.2 lux), which is often a recipe for an ongoing dispute. It would take an expert to decide whether an individual piece of equipment, for example a camera / lens combination is capable of achieveing a specified technical performance, whereas a lay person can easily understand if the camera is producing the required results under any given condition.
Step 7 concerns Installation and Operator Training
Again, the installation and commissioning process will vary enormously depending on the scale and complexity of the proposed installation. Wherever possible, constant liaison with the approved contractor should be an integral part of the commissioning process. In most cases, it would be prudent to ensure that allowance has been made for adequate staff training on the correct use and maintenance of the various constituent parts of the system. In practice, depending on the location and complexity of the system, it would be sensible to say that perhaps 25% (or a minimum of 3 at any time) of the staff on site, are completely familiar with all aspects of using the equipment (including making copies of recordings if requested by the police). It is also vitally important that at least one copy of the system Technical and Operation manual is readily available at all times. This should include full details of the system components, technical brochures and operating instructions for each component part, detailed instructions on how to provide copies of recorded material (remember to keep spare blank media available for this purpose), and full contact details (including 'out of hours' numbers) for key technical / management personnel, and also the supply or maintenance company.
Step 8 requires Post Installation Assessment
Once the installation has been completed (or in the case of larger systems, as each phase is about to be signed off), it is vitally important that a detailed evaluation is made to ensure that the system and it's constituent parts are performing precisely as predicted and required. It's at this stage that any obvious shortcomings can be immediately corrected.
Step 9 requires the development of a Code of Practice and Operating Guidelines
No matter what size or type of video surveillance system, it is considered "good practice" to at the very least, devise some appropriate 'Operating Guidelines' for a smaller installation, and a detailed and robust "Code of Practice" for larger, and in particular 'Public Space' camera schemes.
These should not really be regarded as dead documents, but rather a work in progress, where updates and improvements are incorporated as and when required.
Step 10 depends on routine ongoing Performance Assessment Surveys (PAS)
There are essentially two levels of ongoing assessment. At it's most simple state, constant evaluation should be made of the technical performance of the system as a whole, and its individual components.
In addition, the overall operating effectiveness of the installation should be thoroughly assessed at regular fixed intervals, perhaps every three to six months, and the results of the evaluation used almost as a constant loop to measure and improve performance, where practical and affordable. Subject to feedback, further work will be carried out on developing this section throughout 2008.
If you have any specific requests for more information, comments or suggestions for inclusion in this project, please let me know:- e-mail to: info[at]doktorjon.co.uk << Developing a 'TRUSTED'© Standard >>
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