What Do GAO Findings on Body-Worn Camera Programs Mean for Border and Law Enforcement Contractors?

GAO’s September 2026 report says CBP and ICE each began body-worn camera programs with plans that included key components of comprehensive program management, but neither agency has updated its plan since 2022 and 2024, respectively, despite program changes such as increased deployments and a 2025 pause. GAO also says the agencies identified desired results such as officer safety, transparency, accountability, and public trust, yet they have not implemented results-oriented performance goals or measures to assess program impact, including potential measures tied to use-of-force investigations. On compliance, GAO found supervisory controls and monthly footage reviews, but said additional controls, including automatic activation when related actions occur, would better assure footage is captured under policy. GAO further found that most CBP and ICE offices lack specific operational guidance for their unique circumstances, which increases the risk that personnel will not use cameras as required. For contractors, the contract-side baseline remains the clauses in Acquisition.gov: FAR 52.204-21 applies to covered contractor information systems that process, store, or transmit federal contract information, and FAR 52.224-2 applies when a contract requires design, development, or operation of a system of records on individuals.