Managing discovery files shouldn’t drain hours of staff time. With automated CAD-to-body cam linking, your agency can make the process faster, cleaner, and more defensible in court. Here are five best practices:
1. Use CAD incident triggers to activate cameras automatically
When your CAD system is integrated with body cam platforms like Axon, Utility, or Getac, dispatch triggers can turn cameras on as soon as a unit is assigned. This means officers don’t have to remember to start recording, reducing missed footage.
2. Link video files directly to incident records
Automated integrations attach video to the exact CAD incident file. That means no manual searching for timestamps or guessing which video goes with which call, cutting down prep time for prosecutors.
3. Apply retention rules automatically by incident type
With retention tied to the incident record, your system keeps evidence for the right amount of time (longer for felonies, shorter for minor calls), then securely purges files. This meets policy without hours of manual file management.
4. Centralize all attachments for quick discovery exports
Instead of having to gather CAD logs, camera video, still photos, and audio separately, everything is stored under the incident. Generating discovery for the DA’s office becomes a simple, one-click export.
5. Use audit trails to protect your agency
Automated systems log every view and download. If questions arise later, you have a clear record of who accessed evidence and when, which is critical for maintaining the chain of custody.
Result
With automated CAD to body cam linking, agencies routinely cut dozens of hours of overtime per month, time that would have gone to sorting, matching, and burning discs. That means more hours on patrol, fewer late nights, and stronger cases in court.
Interested in integrating your SmartCAD system with a body cam vendor? Contact us. We’d be happy to create a quote and set up the interface linking your body cam vendor with your SmartCAD system.
