Police Scotland rolls out BWV in the Highlands and Islands

Around 400 officers, including road policing officers and dog handlers, will be issued with the new devices over the coming weeks.

Highlands and Islands is the second division to deploy the cameras following their recent introduction in Tayside in March. As the roll out progresses, more than 10,500 Home Office-approved Motorola Solutions VB400 cameras will be issued to frontline officers from constable to inspector ranks, and to police custody staff, across the country.

Police Scotland says the latest roll-out will bring benefits to the officers and the communities of the 12,000 square miles of lochs, glens, islands, mountains, villages, towns and city that we cover.

“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,” it added.

Since taking command in October 2023, Chief Constable Jo Farrell has prioritised the introduction of BWV.

Deputy Chief Constable Jane Connors said: “The national roll-out of the 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.

“BWV can significantly enhance public confidence and support officer and public safety by providing effective and transparent evidence of police and public interactions.

“The technology will also improve the quality of evidence presented in court to deliver faster justice for victims by increasing early guilty pleas and reducing time spent at court for victims, witnesses and police officers.

“There is strong public and partner support for BWV in Scotland 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, said Police Scotland.

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,” Police Scotland said.

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 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.