Bedfordshire Police are to issue around 1,000 more body-worn cameras to front line officers to collect evidence on the spot. The force says this will save time, increase transparency and help bring offenders to justice. Bedfordshire Police adds that many front line officers are equipped with digital notebooks, meaning routine tasks can be done in the field rather than at the station.
Head of Continuous Improvement, Supt Jim Lunn, said: “The cameras are extremely useful since they mean evidence can be collected quickly and in a completely transparent way. It is good news for the public, good news for officer safety and bad news for those who act in a criminal way.
“Other forces using this technology have found that the cameras have contributed towards early pleas from offenders, a reduction in challenges to police evidence in court, a reduction in the number of complaints against police and they have had a positive impact upon domestic violence prosecutions.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Olly Martins added: “The wider deployment of these body-worn cameras represents another step forward by the force to use technology to enhance its ability to protect people and fight crime effectively and efficiently. This equipment will save a great deal of time and effort and will ultimately be a very worthwhile investment. More importantly it will help to secure successful prosecutions against those perpetrators of crime who pose a threat to the communities of Bedfordshire.”
