Operational Policing
Body Worn Video Devices (Head Cameras)
Body-worn video devices or head cameras are video recording devices with the ability to record both images and sound that can be worn by police officers.
Pilot
This new technology has been piloted by Devon and Cornwall Constabulary. Plymouth Basic Command Unit (BCU) commenced an extended use trial in October 2006 with 50 head mounted cameras being used in as many operational situations as possible by the 300 trained staff in three sectors of the BCU.
Media coverage of the system led to significant national and international interest, and other police forces commenced small-scale use of the system. The Home Office funded an independent evaluation of the Plymouth pilot that showed that the use of body-worn video devices has significant potential to improve the effectiveness of operational policing. The pilot demonstrated that the use of body-worn video devices had led to an increase in the proportion of crimes where the offender was brought to justice compared with incidents where the cameras were not used.
Guidance
The Home Office has identified the most effective practice in the use of this technology and has published guidance for police forces - Guidance for the police use of body-worn video devices.
This seeks to standardise practices in the use of the technology, provide guidance on the legal and procedural framework and identify the appropriate technical specifications to make the technology fit for policing purposes in England and Wales. This guidance replaces the previously published draft guidance
Police Forces, BCUs and other public bodies wishing to utilise this technology in tackling violent crime and anti social behaviour should ensure their procedures are compliant with the published guidance.
The guidance contains information regarding legal aspects of use, good practice, advice from Crown Prosecution Service and the Information Commissioner’s Office. The Guidance also contains details of a technical specification from the Home Office Scientific Development Branch.
