Readers may have seen references in the media last week about the possible introduction of ‘Body Worn Video cameras’ for Metropolitan Police officers following the inquest into the death of Mark Duggan.
As reported in March 2013, front-line officers on the Isle of Wight have been trialing those same devices as part of a specific one-year project until the summer of 2014.
Yesterday (Monday), Home Secretary Theresa May approved a whopping £1.4 million of funding to allow six police forces to invest in body-worn video cameras.
£399,000 funding boost
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police is one of those six police forces and, we’re told, will receive £399,000 to roll out the use of body-worn camera to officers and PCSOs.
Hampshire Constabulary Chief Constable Andy Marsh said:
“This funding keeps Hampshire and the Isle of Wight at the cutting edge of body-worn video technology – not just in Britain – but anywhere in the world.
“As well as being very welcome news – this commitment by Government is recognition of the massive benefit body-worn video offers in terms of building trust with the public – and having an accurate and verifiable digital record of the evidence.
“It is my intention – both as Chief Constable for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight – and in my new national role – to work with those other forces who are leading the way to make body-worn video something that the public continues to support – and is available to every uniformed police officer.”
Eliminating vexatious complaints
A statement from the Home Office stated that in May last year Theresa May told the Police Federation’s annual conference how the equipment can help improve the collection of evidence and eliminate vexatious complaints from known troublemakers.
