Body-worn cameras welcome but increasing officers’ workload, police union says

The rollout of body-worn cameras for frontline police is not necessarily the panacea for violent incidents against police, after the assault of a policeman raised anger among the force.

Body-worn cameras have been rolled out to Tasmania Police officers. Picture: JUSTIN KENNEDY

BODY-worn cameras for police in Tasmania are welcome but are not the cure-all for reducing assaults on frontline workers, the police union says.

The time spent processing video footage was also taking up valuable time and taking officers away from core duties, which he said was driving some “crazy”.

The pressure was also on officers to activate the cameras in dynamic situations, Police Association of Tasmania assistant secretary Andrew Bennett said.

It comes after a motorist reversed twice into a police motorcyclist following a routine traffic stop on Christmas Day at Glendevie, in the Huon Valley. The driver is still at large.

The policeman was hospitalised with minor injuries, but police said it was only by luck that he avoided more serious injuries, or even death.

Footage was not captured because the officer’s body camera was not activated because of the circumstances of the incident.

“In the heat of the moment with two hands on your motorbike, taking a hand off to activate a camera would be the last thing on your mind,” Senior Sergeant Bennett said.

“They are very vulnerable on motorbikes, unfortunately.”

Tasmania Police’s 2018-19 annual report said the introduction of body-worn camera technology contributed to a 21 per cent reduction in assaults against police.

Police Association of Tasmania assistant secretary Andrew Bennett said body-worn cameras had increased the workload of police officers. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

But Sen-Sgt Bennett said it was “too early to call” whether the cameras had conclusively made a significant difference, noting unintended consequences.

“The issue is the workload that comes with having them, every bit of footage that you record needs to be catalogued,” he said.

“Then you have got the instance of when matters come back for court, police on the frontline are having to redact footage and do all the editing that goes with it.

“We’re big supporters [of the cameras] but we keep arguing ‘what do you take away when you add something?’.”

Sen-Sgt Bennett said police were already being caught up with non-core police duties to assist other agencies.

Inspector Marco Ghedini said the rollout of body-worn cameras was almost complete and appeared to have contributed to a reduction in offences, including assaults, against police.

“The introduction of BWC also further contributes towards the professionalism of police officers, streamlines the process for managing complaints against police officers and enhances the ability for police to provide quality of evidence to court,” he said.

He said research suggested the use of the cameras may improve the behaviour of those interacting with police.

Sergeant Steve Dine launched a public appeal for information after a police motorcyclist was reversed into twice in the Huon Valley on Christmas Day. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS.

Police launched an appeal for public information after the Christmas Day incident, saying they were looking for an aqua blue or dark green small sedan. No arrests have been made.

The driver, a man, is believed aged between 25 and 30 with blond hair, police said.

The front seat passenger was a woman, believed to be of similar age with long blonde hair.

Anyone with information should contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.