SSAIB, the UK and Ireland’s security, fire and telecare certification body, announces that two police forces have pioneered the introduction of body-worn video (BWV) technology in accordance with the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice. Following certification to the code, completed by SSAIB auditors, the Greater Manchester Police and Metropolitan Police Service are now using devices for a variety of innovative and beneficial applications.
Contemporaneous evidence capture
BWV technology is now being used in a variety of ways to capture police operational activity first hand, using helmet or vest-mounted cameras. These affordable cameras provide high-quality images and audio, which can be used for evidential purposes.
Andy Marsh, who was the National Policing Lead for body-worn video (and is now Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset police), reported in 2014 that this technology’s advantages include enhanced contemporaneous evidence capture and swifter justice through early guilty pleas and admissions. “It can also inform more appropriate sentencing and help to reduce bureaucracy throughout the criminal justice processes by focusing on the needs of victims. Finally, it supports transparency, trust and confidence in the police,” he added.
Improving criminal justice process
The Greater Manchester Police experience began with a trial of 80 BWV cameras among response teams in the north and south of Manchester between 2012-13. An initial 12-week pilot led to a roll-out of BWV cameras from March 2016 to all operational front-line police officers and specialist units. Approximately 3200 units will eventually be deployed, with further plans for the scheme to additionally include police community support officers in 2017.
"Achieving full certification has been a vital aspect of our assurance to the public that body-worn video is being used effectively" |
Operational use of the body-worn devices takes account of guidance published by Greater Manchester’s Police & Crime Commissioner, following a report by the Independent Police Ethics Committee. It concluded that the technology could help improve the criminal justice process for victims of domestic abuse, by gathering crucial evidence to make it quicker and easier to obtain a conviction, and relieving the pressure on victims who don’t feel able to attend court.
Emergency response teams
Meanwhile, following an initial year-long pilot project involving the distribution of around 500 cameras among emergency response teams spread across 10 London Boroughs, the Metropolitan Police Service is now rolling out BWV technology across the capital. This three-phase programme entails the deployment of approximately 22,000 camera units, which is due for completion by mid-2017.
The force’s initial pilot scheme was studied by the College of Policing and the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime. Their reported findings included potential benefits from BWV including a reduced number of allegations against officers, particularly of oppressive behaviour. Complaints related to interactions with the public also reduced.
Commenting on the Metropolitan Police’s accreditation to the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice, the force’s Policy Lead, Digital Policing, Sam Harvey noted: "Achieving full certification has been a vital aspect of our assurance to the public that body-worn video is being used effectively in the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).”
Effective and compliant technology
“The Surveillance Camera Commissioner's comprehensive guiding principles have been invaluable for our BWV policy and rollout of the world's largest deployment of BWV. Independent accreditation for compliance has been a rewarding and enjoyable experience, both during document audits and on-site visits at key police stations in London. We anticipate that the MPS will continue to use the SCC framework in annual reviews and will work closely with the SCC in continuing to recognise the implications of BWV and maintaining this lead in best practice."
"It can also inform more appropriate sentencing and help to reduce bureaucracy throughout the criminal justice processes" |
Meantime, Mark Chaderton, System Support Manager at Greater Manchester Police declared: “Delivery of the certification process was easily understood and applied into all aspects of our BWV project across technical specifications, system administration and data sharing. Award of the Surveillance Camera Commissioner’s certificate is a significant assurance to criminal justice partners, individuals and the wider community that our use of BWV is legitimate, effective and compliant. We are delighted to have achieved full certification and look forward to continuing to work within the Commissioner’s 12 guiding principles as GMP’s use of BWV develops.”
Public safety
SSAIB provides a third party certification service to the Surveillance Camera Commissioner that enables local authorities and those operating public space camera surveillance systems to demonstrate their conformance with the Code of Practice, which the Commissioner calls a universally accepted example of good practice. Full certification (which lasts for five years) is achieved through a two-step process, with an initial desktop review of an organisation’s completed self-assessment being followed within 12 months by an on-site audit. The Commissioner is required to ensure that ‘relevant authorities’, including local authorities and the police, comply with the code.
Other organisations which have successfully achieved certification against the Code of Practice following an SSAIB-conducted audit include national high street retailer Marks & Spencer, along with Aston University, Community Safety Glasgow and local authorities such as Liverpool City Council, Kings Lynn & West Norfolk Borough Council, and the London Boroughs of Brent, Enfield, Hackney, Islington and Waltham Forest.
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