West Yorkshire examines benefits of BWV

West Yorkshire Police is to trial body-worn video (BWV) cameras to help increase transparency and improve public confidence.

Assistant Chief Constable John Robins said it will be a positive contribution to “reaffirm our commitment to the public so people will see us as being wholly transparent and wholly accountable”.

The move is part of a research project with University of Cambridge. The trial will be analysed by experts at the university who will be able to quantify the benefits that the technology can bring. Around 160 BWV cameras will used by frontline response officers.

Mr Robins said that during the trial the cameras will be deployed every time an officer goes out on duty and the force will evaluate whether they should ‘run constantly’ or just on every encounter.

BWV cameras are already used in a limited capacity by officers investigating domestic violence incidents.