Custody staff equipped with BWV cameras as Police Scotland continues national roll-out
A further 800 officers will be equipped with body-worn video (BWV) cameras as Police Scotland continues its national roll-out in the north east.
For the first time custody staff will be provided with devices, together with road policing officers and dog handlers.
The issuing of the Home Office approved Motorola Solutions VB400 cameras in the north east over the coming weeks completes the roll-out in the north of Scotland following their recent introduction in Tayside in March and the Highlands and Islands in June. As the roll-out progresses, more than 10,500 devices will be issued across the country, said Police Scotland.
It added: “The equipment can help to de-escalate incidents, improve public trust in policing and reduce complaints, as well as support officer and staff safety, and bring wider benefits to the criminal justice system.”
Since taking command in October 2023, Chief Constable Jo Farrell has prioritised the introduction of BWV.
Chief Superintendent Kate Stephen said: “The national roll out of BWV cameras is a key priority for us and is one of the ways that we can work towards our vision of safer communities and less crime.
“All officers across the region will now be using BWV and for the first time they will be used by our custody staff.
“The up-to-date devices and technology will improve the quality of evidence presented in court to deliver faster justice for victims by increasing early guilty pleas and reduce the time spent at court for victims, witnesses and police officers.
“BWV can significantly enhance public confidence and support officer and public safety by providing effective and transparent evidence of police and public interactions.
“There is strong public and partner support for BWV in the north east and we will continue to explain our use of this important technology including assurance around data privacy and human rights considerations.”
Over the next 18 months, there will be a gradual increase in officers with BWV cameras across Scotland.
Every frontline uniformed police officer, including Special Constables, will be expected to wear a video camera on their uniform while on duty and to activate it when using police powers, whether a stop and search, an arrest of a suspect or executing a search warrant.
Police staff in custody suites will also use cameras when interacting with people in custody.
“The footage may be used as evidence, but it will not replace existing procedures and requirements when gathering all available information. It will remain a matter for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) to review and determine competence on a case-by-case basis,” said Police Scotland.
Video footage will be uploaded to secure police systems and the evidence will be shared with the COPFS using the new Digital Evidence Sharing Capability (DESC) system.
Police Scotland stressed that the introduction of BWV is not intended to encourage the greater use of single police officer deployments or alter current deployment models for policing in Scotland.