Video
The future
Since the National Pilot, Plymouth has continued to use the body worn cameras to great effect. At the end of 2008, Devon & Cornwall Constabulary in conjunction with Plymouth Body Worn Video Unit, undertook a tendering process to identify new types of body worn video devices, which were in line with the technical specifications contained within the Home Office Guidance for the Police Use of Body Worn Video Devices.
As a result, new encrypted cameras are being trialled offering officers the option of either a body camera or a head camera or both. Devon & Cornwall Constabulary are the first Police Service in the world to use this particular encrypted unit. From this trial and a review that is currently being carried out, the BCU will be provided with options relating to deployment and the management of the Back Office functions. It is clear that the use of Body Worn Video Devices by Police is an effective and impactive evidence gathering tool and that development of the technology is gathering pace. Its use is clearly supported by victims and the Criminal Justice System and in the future, Body Worn Video Devices look set to become a valuable tool for Police Officers.
Since the National Pilot, the trend of results is still very positive and their use has increased sanction detections in both violent crime in public places and domestic violence. The public continue to support the Constabulary in their use of this new technology and it is hoped that one day a large amount of bureaucracy and paperwork will be obsolete and the use of the footage will be adequate to process prosecutions.