The Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T) Office for Interoperability and Compatibility (OIC) has initiated a project concerning the use of video in public safety.  Public safety practitioners rely heavily on video technology as a tool by which to keep the Nation safe.  Poor quality video footage can have serious implications and may mean the difference between life and death.  Through the Video Quality in Public Safety (VQiPS) initiative, public safety practitioners, Federal partners, manufacturers, and representatives of standards making bodies are working to improve the way in which video technologies serve the public safety community.

DHS S&T has partnered with the Public Safety Communications Research (PSCR) program (see: http://www.pscr.gov/projects/video_quality/vqips/vqips.php), supported by the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST), to undertake the needed research to improve video quality. A Working Group was formed by DHS OIC and an Advisory Committee is being formed to assist with this effort through a partnership with the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC).