A mobile video camera apparatus is provided having a mobile video camera device that includes a housing, a handle with a base engagement portion, a camera including an image sensor, a lens, and an encoder, a battery, a recording activation switch, an input relay connected to the camera, wherein activation of the recording activation switch by a user energizes the input relay, and the input relay provides a signal to the camera to begin recording data, a wireless communication device coupleable to the camera device for transmitting encoded data from the camera to the video management system and for receiving configuration commands from the video management system. The apparatus further including a base having a handle mount for receiving and securing the base engagement portion to the base, wherein the handle mount includes a tool-less coupling mechanism for securing and unsecuring the mobile video camera device to the base.