Editor Mr.Mayank Rawat ( Chief Editor Mr. Rohit Mishra )
New Delhi: Delhi Police is procuring body-worn cameras, which it hopes will boost accountability, therefore foster trust with the citizens. The step will also modernise and increase transparency in policing. In the first phase, around 1,500 cameras are being procured, sources said.The national capital’s police force contemplated using body-worn cameras for years, but the idea always ran into troubled waters. Pilot projects were carried out in 2016, 2019 and 2022, but they didn’t prove successful for various reasons, including lack of maintenance and infrastructure issues.Having likely learnt lessons, this time, the police brass intends to have supporting infrastructure to make the project a success.The move was initialled in Jan, said an officer. The cameras, small and discreet, will be clipped on the uniforms of police personnel and will capture every interaction, incident and decision made in the line of duty. “This digital eye will provide an unbiased account of events, helping to resolve disputes and complaints and ensure justice is served,” said a senior officer.TOI reported last July that after the implementation of theBharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, body-worn cameras might hold the key to scripting a successful police story. BNS makes filming of crime scenes or search and seizures mandatory.For the public, the move means reassurance and protection. The presence of body-worn cameras will deter potential offenders while also providing valuable evidence in cases of misconduct or abuse. Crime victims will get added evidence because the camera footage can be used to build stronger cases and secure convictions.For police, the benefits are multifaceted.“The cameras will serve as a training tool, allowing for real-time feedback and improvement. They will also help to protect officers from false accusations by providing a clear record of events,” explained an officer. “Moreover, the cameras will enable the police to review their procedures and protocols, identifying areas for improvement and optimising their response to emergencies.”Initially, the plan is to equip traffic cops with these cameras, police sources said. Subsequently, beat officers and investigating officers will be asked to wear these while on duty. According to police, these body-worn video cameras have the potential to simplify procedures specified under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, which replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure last year. Currently, the cops use their mobile phones for recording videos.”The traffic police will particularly benefit from body-worn cameras since they will be able to document traffic violations and incidents with clarity. With video and audio evidence, enforcement actions will become more effective and disputes over fines or penalties will be minimised,” an officer explained.These cameras will even act as independent witnesses, providing crucial evidence during arrests and at crime scenes, sources said. There have been studies in forces that use such cameras and they rated them effective. There were statistically significant reductions in citizen complaints against police and use-of-force reports for officers who wore cameras compared with those who did not.Police personnel in western countries do not turn on the body-worn cameras for routine patrols but activate them for specific incidents. When a recording is under way, a flashing red light on the camera becomes visible and officers inform people that they are being recorded. The cameras are used while gathering evidence during the investigation of crimes or suspected crimes or to promote transparency during police actions. It also comes in handy after an encounter for writing reports or verification of facts.There are situations when police officers abroad almost certainly activate their cameras. “Body-worn cameras are mandatory when making an arrest, searching a property, land or vehicle, conducting a stop-and-search, or responding to a critical incident,” said an officer.
Mayank Rawat
