Police body cameras set for massive roll out following successful trial
VICTORIA Police will roll out body worn cameras to 59 more stations by the end of the year following a successful trial period.
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POLICE will roll out body cameras to 59 more stations across Victoria by the end of the year following a successful trial period.
The move will see 800 more officers wearing the cameras. Assistant Commissioner Russell Barrett said recent tests of the cameras in Ballarat and Epping had “returned positive results”.
The six-week trial saw footage captured by the cameras prove vital in securing early guilty pleas in at least four cases.
BODY CAMERAS ROLLED OUT IN EPPING
FIRST STAGE OF CAMERA TRIAL TO BEGIN
USE OF BODY CAMERAS CONCERNS LAWYERS
“Given the pleasing evaluation results, we are now preparing to roll out the cameras statewide,” Mr Barrett said. “Busy regional stations such as Swan Hill, Bacchus Marsh, Whittlesea and Mildura will get the technology this year. We are looking forward to expanding the use of body cameras, with the aim to have every general duties police and PSO equipped with one by 2020.”
The initial trial found the training and camera usage policies worked well, and officers were comfortable using the technology within the first one or two shifts.
“We evaluated the initial rollout of cameras to Ballarat and Epping police stations in April to test whether the technology was being used correctly and to determine any areas for improvement,” Mr Barrett said.
“The community showed great interest in the cameras and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
“The introduction of body cameras is expected to deliver improved community safety, enhanced evidence gathering and increased police safety and accountability.”
Over the next two months, the cameras will be introduced to general duties and highway patrol officers at a number of stations including Daylesford, Bannockburn, Avoca and Landsborough. By the end of the year, they will be in use at Anglesea, Apollo Bay, Colac, Torquay and Pakenham.
New laws allow the cameras to record family violence victim statements as evidence.
Police Minister Lisa Neville said: “Body-worn cameras will help strengthen community safety, improve evidence gathering and increase accountability. They have already led to quicker results through the courts, and we expect these benefits will continue as they’re deployed to more and more frontline police.”