Officers could use body-worn video to interview suspects
NEW Home Office regulations will allow police to use body-worn video to record interviews with suspects, under plans being consulted on.
Police can already use evidence captured by wearable cameras but the changes will mean that, for the first time, they can be used for suspect interviews away from a police station setting.
It follows joint work between the Home Office and police to help maximise time spent on the frontline by officers and reduce unnecessary trips to and from police stations.
South Yorkshire Police has not yet rolled out body-worn video to its officers, but Federation Chair Zuleika Payne believes they could be vital in protecting officers.
She said: “This piece of work is in its infancy for us here in South Yorkshire, but what we will have is the benefit of the learning from other forces. Exploring what their experiences have been, both the negative and positive, the guidance and materials available. We will then be suitably placed to look at the possibility of the implementation and what that means for us here in South Yorkshire.
“Certainly if you look at the benefits of body-worn video, not only does it protect the police officer but it also protects the individuals that they’re dealing with. Obviously the members of the public who the officer is dealing with at that moment in time will be aware that the body-worn video is taken into use, so it actually protects from both sides.”
By the end of this year, 60,000 body-worn video cameras will have been deployed by police forces across England and Wales.
Minister for Policing and the Fire Service, Nick Hurd said: “Having met officers across England and Wales, I’ve seen how technology is bringing 21st century solutions to age-old policing problems.
“I want our police officers to have access to the best possible equipment, and to be able to use it to bring greater efficiency to frontline policing.
“We will keep looking for ways to save time and work more effectively, and we will do everything we can to support forces as they adapt for the future.”
As part of the new regulations, the Home Office is also strengthening the protections in place for interviewees and will require all interviews with suspects to be recorded when a working audio device is available.
The new plans set out in full suspects’ rights and entitlements and also include a definition of vulnerability, so that it is clear when interviews must be conducted with independent support for the suspect from an appropriate adult and, if one is requested, a solicitor.