The latest new piece of police technology could be set to cause a fair bit of controversy.
Met Police officers in London are all set to start using cameras on their uniforms to capture images from crime scene. The plan is also to use these body cameras to increase levels of transparency and to help get convictions get pushed through more quickly.
To start with, 500 of the cameras will start to get used by police officers in 10 of the different boroughs in the capital. It has also been reported that firearm officers will get to use them in their training.
This new camera scheme comes in the aftermath of the public outcry that followed the death of Mark Duggan, who was shot by armed police officers. This incident happened in Tottenham in August of 2011 and led to riots across the country.
Footage Will be Stored for a Month
The first part of London to give the cameras a run out is Camden Borough, with future trials due to take place across the city. The footage which is recorded has to be stored for a month and then discarded if it isn’t needed.
Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe is the Met Commissioner and he said that criminals are more likely to admit their guilt when they know that the incident has been recorded. This would help to speed up the justice system and “protect potential victims” by putting offenders “behind bars more quickly”.
Not everyone is happy with the idea, though. Jack Hart is from the Freedom Association and he says that the wired up officers will make it seem that we are all “under suspicion”.
What is your opinion on this use of technology?
