Video
Introduction
The Plymouth Body Worn Video Unit, formerly known as the Plymouth Head Camera Project, evolved following a review of optical evidence gathering (OEG) within the Plymouth Basic Command Unit (BCU). It was clear that there was a need for the provision of new technologies and the relevant training to aid evidence gathering for criminal cases.
In January 2006, Plymouth BCU took possession of a prototype version of a BWV (Body Worn Video) device purchased through the Community Safety Partnership in order that it could be piloted within the BCU.
There was limited use of this BWV during a domestic violence enforcement campaign, which ran during February and March 2006 (8 weeks) and initially it proved the potential value of such technology.
In conjunction with the Home Office, Plymouth BCU of the Devon & Cornwall Constabulary conducted a 6 month National Pilot from October 2006 to end March 2007, to evaluate the use of BWV by Police Officers. The Pilot was designed to prove the concept of the technology to reduce bureaucracy, increase the number of offenders brought to justice and reduce crime.
For the first time the Judiciary are able to see what the Police officer saw and the evidence is brought to life in the court through the footage from the body worn camera. It has shown the demeanour of victims, witnesses, alleged offenders and Police Officers and has allowed the Judiciary to better understand what the Police Officer has witnessed. It is clear that no matter how good the Police Officer might be at writing statements, the evidence could not be reproduced in the detail that the body worn camera footage captures.
As they say "a picture paints a thousand words"