Role of Human Operators in CCTV Systems - Essay Example

Role of human operators in CCTV surveillance systems Introduction CCT stands for closed circuit television which basically refers to the use of video cameras in signal transmission to particular places (Bogard 1996). The difference between broadcast television and CCT is that in CCTV the signal is not transmitted openly even though it may use links such as point to multipoint, point to point and mesh wireless. Almost every video camera can fit in this definition but the term CCTV applied to those used in surveillance areas where monitoring is needed like in Banks, airports, casinos, convenience stores and military installations. Video-telephony is not commonly called CCTV but when video is used in distance education it is called so since video is a critical tool there. This essay is a discussion of the roles played by the CCTV operator and how these roles relate to the defined role of the CCTV system. Roles of CCTV system CCTV equipment when placed in a control room is often used in observing various processes for example in a place that is not suitable for people. The systems can be used in a continuous way or can be allowed to operate only for a certain period when a particular event needs to be monitored. There is another form of CCTV that is more advanced and it utilizes digital video recorders to provide recording for many years and has a variety of options of performance and quality as well as extra features such as email alerts and motion detection (Cieszynsky 2008). IP based decentralized CCTV cameras came it use in recent times. Some of them have megapixel censors, support direct recording to devices attached to network or internal flash for total stand alone operations. Public surveillance by use of CCTV is done in many places in the world with the United Kingdom included where the cameras per person are more compared to any other country around the world. However the use of CCTV in the United Kingdom and other places as well has sparked debates about privacy versus security (Bruce, Henderson, and Burton 2001). In the CCTV system there is no public distribution of signals but instead these signals are monitored for purposes of security and surveillance. The CCTV system is supported by cameras placed strategically so that they deliver some input to monitors that are observed somewhere else. Since these cameras are in communication with monitors and video recorders through wireless communication links or private coaxial cable runs they qualify to be called ‘closed circuit’ because there is limited access to the content within them and only those who can access them can see it (Collins, Truett, Van 2000). Older systems of CCTV made use of small black and white monitors with low resolution and no capability to interact. Today’s CCTV displays may be color with high resolution and may have the features and the ability to track someone or something or zoom on an image. Talk CCTV makes it possible for the one overseeing to talk to people that are within the range of the associated speakers of the cameras (Aldridge 1994). The CCTV systems are used for many purposes. Some of these purposes include the maintenance of perimeter security to installations and areas whose security ranges from medium to high-secure. They are also useful in observing the behavior of inmates that are incarcerated as well as patients that are potentially dangerous and are confined in medical facilities. CCTVs do monitoring of traffic, overseeing hazardous locations like environments that are highly radioactive or industrial environments that are very toxic. They help in maintaining grounds and building security, taking a visual record in places where there is need of maintaining access controls and proper security for example in banks, airports, casinos and in diamond cutting and sorting activities. Of late CCTV is increasingly being used in law enforcement from observation of traffic to monitoring of areas with high crime rates (Damjanovski 2005). Role of human CCTV operators CCTV human operators are those people charged with the responsibility of sitting in the control rooms to monitor the surveillance process of various places and activities. In the UK, the CCTV operators are expected to be a ware of their responsibilities based on safety and health including the identification of appraisal, proper safety and health training. They must approach the duties assigned to them with consideration of the principles of Best Value. They must sensitively apply the procedures and knowledge of all the legislation that relate to service provision. They have to play an active and full role of running the CCTV system so that services are provided to the public in an effective and efficient way (Norris & Armstrong 1997). To be able to perform their roles in the most efficient and effective way CCTV operators require excellent eye sight, strong concentration power, ability to give a calm and strong reaction to emergency situations and good skills of communication. They should also be discreet meaning that they should observe confidentiality and not discuss with outsiders whatever they view on their monitors. Finally, a CCTV operator should be in a position to work effectively without any supervision (Mead 1998). In our natural environment the human brain works by recognizing people and objects at a given distance a way or when seen under sub-optimal conditions. CCTV operators normally do surveillance tasks such as controlling and monitoring accidents, recognition, detection and identification. Control room CCTV operators are engaged in activities that may vary from one place to another. It also depends on the purpose for which the CCTV system has been set up and most importantly where the system is being used. Generally they may be expected to respond to telephone calls, radio and emails from local council groups and police units if there are maintenance issues and problems to be addressed. They also monitor the enforcement of traffic and CCTV screens in order to see if there are any crimes or contraventions of traffic rules going on (McCahill and Norris 2002). In general terms CCTV activity surveillance monitoring involves tape administration where operators make copies of existing tapes, label and store back up video for surveillance. Operators also do paper administration which involves full documentation of details observed and creation of incident reports. CCTV operators can take responsibility for 15 screens from which they receive live pictures automatically coming in from more than 100 surveillance cameras. The operators are expected to do constant monitoring of these screens (Kruegle 2006). Human CCTV operators also operate cameras in the control rooms. They have the responsibility of deciding what area they will focus on at specific times. For example they can choose to monitor the attendants of car parks when it is time for the attendants to pick money from ticket machines. Whenever council employees enter the offices at times that are not working hours the CCTV operators have to monitor their movements around the building (Henderson et al 2001). During the night they have the responsibility of scanning cleaners who may be working in the empty buildings. In case CCTV operators see a person with suspicious character they monitor that person and upon witnessing any theft or vandalism acts done by that person they don’t hesitate to contact the police or security staff. When monitoring different areas CCTV operators can notice some antisocial or suspicious behavior and when this happens they have to inform the police immediately (Gill et al 2005). In the UK, CCTV operators at certain times can work as security staff. For example where social workers must make a visit to client at night in an emergency situation, the operator has to be informed and be given the address of the place they will be visiting and call at set regular intervals. If they spend 30 minutes without calling then the CCTV tries calling them on their mobile phones. In case the operator gets no reply they he notifies the police of his suspicion (Gong, McKenna and Psarrou 2001). CCTV operators take responsibility for their videotapes. They are keen so that when they record on a tape the tapes recorded in each of the shifts are availed within a designated period so that if they are needed by police it is easy for them to have them. They must preserve a written log of every incident observed on the screens since they could be required to give it to the police (Manukrit 2008). CCTV operators have several other responsibilities and duties depending on their designated roles. They are expected to do monitoring for all systems in the control centre with a lot of efficiency to ensure that they undertake all the work and comply with operating procedures, codes of practice and legislation. In the UK they help in the maintenance of the British Standard 7958:2005. They have to cooperate with police as well as other agencies and staff members to see to it that the system is used appropriately. They include all records of evidence and statements from witnesses to the standard that has been stipulated in the rules of evidence (Maersk 2010). They are also charged with the responsibility of recording in writing all actions and events in a manner that is legible, clear and accurate. They also have with a lot of efficiency to provide courteous telephone and radio answering services as well as dealing with every enquiry very efficiently. CCTV operators have to report the failure of equipment to the supervisor of the site so that the operation of the system is maintained at its maximum. They have to maintain a system that is very secure for the provision of data according to the rules laid down by the council. They are also expected to maintain the security of the control room as well as that of the equipment in the room all time. Operators must the certification of SIA before the end of 6 months following their date of employment (Lakhmi et al 2011). Another important role they play is to continue providing necessary information needed by the supervisor and CCTV manager to help in monitoring the CCTV system together with other security systems based on the council regulations and the admissibility and continuity of material carrying evidence. They also provide support to the supervisor of the site and the CCTV manager by monitoring the maintenance program so that the system can have full provision (Garcial 2007). A CCTV system can be put in a place where a machine operator is not able to directly observe the people that could sustain injuries because of a machine operation that is not expected. For instance in a sub way train there may be CCTV cameras that the operator can use to know if people have moved away from the doors before he can close them for the train to start. The operator in an amusement park ride can make use of a CCTV system to ensure that there is no danger to the people if the ride is started (Fennelly 2012). Relationship between role of CCTV and role of human operators The roles of the CCTV system and those of the human operator within the system are interdependent. The CCTV cannot work effectively without the input of the human operator and the human operator cannot achieve anything without making use of the system’s cameras and monitors. The human operator is an integral part of the CCTV system and he works within it and with it. The system cannot operate effectively without having a human being to play certain roles that are very important in the system. As outlined in this paper the role of the human operator is very important is the CCTV system is to be of any use (Ericson and Haggerty 2006). In order to play its role completely and effectively, the CCTV system relies heavily on the human operator. Maintenance of the cameras and monitors and other machine and equipment within the system must be done by a human being. There must be an operator watching to see to it that the system is functioning well and that nothing is going wrong. In case of an anomaly the operator must report so that the problem is rectified immediately. This will ensure that the system works smoothly (Fenelly 2003). The system also relies on the role of the operator to view the monitors and keep the video records or written records of what the systems has gathered. Video tapes must be obtained from the system and kept well before being handed over to the police or any relevant authority for further action. This role cannot be performed by the system alone (Luff P and Heath 2001). On the other hand it is impossible for a human being to do the work of surveillance without the help of the CCTV system. The job requires that cameras placed in various strategic places gather information and relay it to monitors that are viewed by human beings in other locations. Without this equipment then such kind of tasks cannot be accomplished. To play his role effectively therefore, the human operator also relies very much on the system’s machine and equipment (Von, Larsen 2011). The human operator and the CCTV system work together and their roles cannot be divorced from each other. The operator and the rest of the system meet at the human interface which in this case is the screen that gives visual display of the information collected from various places where the surveillance cameras have been mounted. Operators therefore have to undergo training for them to be equipped with the skills of operating the CCTV system. Through this they are able to integrate their own efforts with the job done by the rest of the system so as to come up with a finished product which in most cases is evidential information to an incident (Lyon 2007). Conclusion In this paper the role of the human operators in CCTV surveillance systems has been explored. To increase the understanding of this role the role of the CCTV system has also been examined. Finally the paper has explored the relationship between the role of the human operator in the CCTV system and the role of the CCTV system itself. The human operator in the CCTV surveillance has a number of roles which make the operation of the system complete. CCTV activity surveillance monitoring involves tape administration where operators make copies of existing tapes, label and store back up video for surveillance. Operators also do paper administration which involves full documentation of details observed and creation of incident reports. CCTV systems are used for various purposes such as monitoring traffic, crime, security of certain places and in other areas shop lifting. The roles of the human operator and the CCTV system are related in that one cannot be able to function effectively without the input of the other. 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