As reported in the March 2014 print issue of Professional Security, Tony Porter has been appointed as the new Surveillance Camera Commissioner. He took up his three year appointment on March 10. He replaces Andrew Rennison.
He is an independent appointee to the role that is enshrined in primary legislation and can only be changed by an Act of Parliament. The commissioner is responsible for:
– encouraging compliance with the surveillance camera code of practice
– providing advice on the effective, appropriate, proportionate and transparent use of surveillance camera systems
– providing advice on operational and technical standards
– reviewing how the code of practice is working and advising the government where any changes may be necessary.
The code, launched in June 2013, was created to ensure individuals and wider communities have confidence that CCTV cameras are deployed to protect and support them rather than spy on them. It sets out 12 guiding principles that for the first time provide a coherent and comprehensive framework to enable good and transparent decision-making that will reassure the public. As it stands, public authorities have to pay regard to the code whilst it’s voluntary for everyone else. A key part of the Tony’s role is to engage with operators and managers across the sector to encourage voluntary take up of the code. To help them understand why following the 12 principles is in their best interest as well as to understand the issues facing them. By the same token he will be engaging with civil liberty groups to ensure that the balance is right – an increase in the effective use of CCTV cameras rather than an increase in the actual number of cameras.
Tony brings a business and law enforcement background. He is an intelligence specialist (most recently within the banking sector) and his police experience spans community and business engagement, international counter terrorism and serious and organised crime. He joined Greater Manchester Police (GMP) in 1982 serving in Stockport, Manchester and Oldham in a variety of roles. In 2008 he was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in the New Year’s Honours list for service to policing. In June 2012 Tony was promoted to Temporary Assistant Chief Constable and had the role of National Co-ordinator (Pursue) during the London Olympics. This meant responsibility for the management, supervision and direction of all counter-terror investigations during the Games. Tony moved from policing in September 2012 and became Vice President Head of Physical Security Intelligence for Barclays Bank. He was appointed chair of the trade association British Banking Association (BBA) Intelligence Group which represents 174 banks in over 60 countries.
He says that he is committed to ensuring an open and transparent approach to the role. He will seek to raise confidence across communities and interest groups as to the use of CCTV cameras and the standards of operation. He will build close and working relationships with all interested parties to ensure those challenges are managed, and seen to be managed, in the public interest.
Visit https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/surveillance-camera-commissioner
