Yarra Ranges Council introduces body-worn cameras for community safety officers

Council community safety officers in Melbourne’s outer east will have a new tool to deal with aggressive and violent behaviour on the job.

Yarra Ranges Council community safety officers will start wearing body-worn cameras when attending jobs, after a rise in occupational violence incidents.

Yarra Ranges Council community safety officers will trial the use of body-worn cameras, after a rise in violent incidents.

The officers, who respond to parking issues, illegal rubbish dumping and dog attacks – where emotions can run high – will wear the cameras on their vests.

The cameras will be used when responding to calls or potentially hazardous situations.

The council’s director of communities Jane Price said there had been a rise in the number of occupational violence incidents within Yarra Ranges over the last couple of years.

“Council takes a zero tolerance approach to occupational violence and focuses on preventing potential incidents and harm,” Ms Price said.

“Several councils who are using body worn cameras have reported improved safety for their officers, as they have proven to help prevent and deter potentially aggressive incidents.

“In addition to staff and community safety, the cameras reduce the amount of time and paperwork required when preparing documentation to report on incidents, as well as providing greater transparency on how incidents have occurred and how they have been dealt with.”

The cameras will also for after-hours calls, where built-in GPS tracking will improve safety for officers.

Officers in the City of Melbourne and Boroondara also wear body-worn cameras when out in the field.

Yarra Ranges Mayor Jim Child said the cameras would help officers greatly when going about their work.

“It’s all about safety, not just for our staff but for the community,” Cr Child said.

“While the cameras won’t necessarily be switched on at all times, it is great that our officers now have that option to quickly begin recording information which can help in situations that require quick action.”

Data recorded by the cameras will be managed in line with relevant government legislation and the council’s privacy policy.