Cops to wear bodycams soon

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 7,648 body-worn cameras (BWCs) will be supplied to the police force in stages starting September, says Comm Datuk Wan Hassan Wan Ahmad.

The Bukit Aman Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department director said an acceptance letter was issued by the Home Ministry on Tuesday involving the supply of BWCs to the police force.

“The BWC will mainly be used by personnel in the mobile patrol vehicle (MPV) and the motorcycle patrol unit (URB), which are under the department.

“It will also be supplied to the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Comm Wan Hassan said the BWCs would be supplied in stages starting September this year up to February next year.

“They will be placed at 157 district police headquarters and 640 police stations nationwide.

“The use of BWCs will also be conducted in stages starting in October.

“We believe they will be fully utilised by MPV and URB personnel by March next year,” he added.

He said training for MPV and URB personnel will also be conducted next year from March to December.

“The use of BWCs will have a positive impact on preventing acts of wrongdoing and issues related to integrity among police personnel and officers.

“The cameras are capable of recording the action of police officers in the field, including acts of wrongdoing.

“Each BWC user will be equipped with an ID while on duty.

“It does not have a delete recording function and it will be able to record video and audio for up to eight hours,” he added.

Comm Wan Hassan said BWC recordings could also be used as proof of a suspect’s verbal communication and actions.

“Its use will be made compulsory while on duty and it will be a disciplinary offence for any police personnel who fail to wear it,” he said.

Comm Wan Hassan said the BWCs would not only curb wrongdoing and integrity problems among MPV and URB personnel but they could also protect policemen from unwarranted criticism of their actions while carrying out their duties.

“The standard operating procedure (SOP) for the use of BWCs is being finalised before they are distributed to all officers nationwide.

“The SOP is important to ensure that the instructions to use the BWC is fully adhered to.

“The use of the BWC will move the police force forward as the sole enforcement agency using the latest technology, in line with modern policing.

“I hope the BWC will improve good governance in terms of crime prevention patrols by MPV and URB personnel.

“It will also improve the level of integrity among police officers, prevent wrongdoing, while the public will feel safer with the body cameras in place,” he added.

Comm Wan Hassan said the use of the BWC will also improve the image of the police force.

He also said the BWC could be used as evidence in criminal cases, including incidents where police officers may be victims of defamation while enforcing the law.