Essex Police roll out next gen body worn video cameras
Above: Sgt Matt Bell wearing one of the new cameras.
A total of 385 of the cutting edge devices have been distributed to uniform officers responding to emergencies in the Tendring, Colchester, Southend, Thurrock and Basildon districts.
All of the officers were trained by Friday December 19 and have started using the cameras to record what happens when they respond to domestic abuse calls and deal with anti-social behaviour and disorder.
The state-of-the-art cameras will be used to help officers capture evidence from the scene of an incident and can record high-definition footage, including in infra-red (giving clear footage in reduced light and darkness), take still pictures, and record sound.
Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh said: "We have recently carried out a successful trial using older camera technology to assist with our investigations around domestic abuse.
"The results of that study were very encouraging and the capabilities of the new cameras, which are lighter and more portable, mean that I expect them to have a positive impact on our success in dealing with offenders.
"I am committed to using advances in technology to make the jobs of my officers easier, to improve crime detection, and relieve the pressure on victims and witnesses around giving evidence.”
The money for the cameras, which cost £500 each, has come from a successful joint bid with Kent Police for funding from the Home Office.
Superintendent Trevor Roe, who is in charge of the roll-out, said: "The trial we carried out with 70 of the older cameras showed that they resulted in more early guilty pleas as defendants are shown irrefutable evidence of their crimes.
"We saw a 9% increase in the number of offenders charged with offences and officers involved in the trial also felt that the cameras made them more accountable.
"With this new kit I am very hopeful that we will see a reduction in offending behaviour and better all-round safety for members of the public and officers.
”We owe it to the victims of crime to use all lawful investigative techniques available to us and I’m sure these cameras will become an invaluable asset for officers as they deliver a first class service to the people of Essex.
"We have also used the results of the trial to make improvements to the way we use the cameras, influence national policy through the College of Policing, and put in place back office support software functions.
"Systems have now been put in place to allow for the easy download and storage of the footage from the cameras and to simplify the process of passing video which will be used as evidence in court cases to the Crown Prosecution Service.”
The cameras will be issued to officers in frontline Local Policing Teams for their individual use only. They will make the decision when to start and stop recording an incident but if they decide not to use the camera they may have to justify that decision in court.
Officers will let people know they are being filmed and the footage from incidents could also be used for internal enquiries should someone make a complaint about the handling of an incident.
Essex Police and Crime Commissioner Nick Alston has supported the introduction of the cameras in Essex. He said: "I’m delighted that, following a properly supervised trial in Essex, nearly 400 frontline officers are being equipped with new generation body worn video cameras.
"I have long supported the use of cameras by officers as I believe they will prove to be an essential tool not only in tackling domestic abuse but also other offences, as officers will be able to immediately capture evidence, especially the harm caused by perpetrators.
"The video evidence of an offence can be put before the court which takes some of the pressure away from victims who may be frightened or intimidated by the prospect of going through the criminal justice system.
"The cameras will also offer safeguards both for those who come into contact with police and for the officers themselves, by capturing those encounters objectively.”
