THE rollout of body-worn video cameras across the South Yorkshire Police frontline will prove to be a \u2018useful deterrent\u2019 against assaults on officers the county\u2019s police Federation says.<\/p>\n
South Yorkshire PCC Dr Alan Billings said the money had been set aside previously in the force\u2019s budget to buy the equipment, which is already in use in the firearms unit.<\/p>\n
And now plans have now been announced to get the kit out to all frontline officers, in a move backed by Federation Chairman Steve Kent.<\/p>\n
Steve said: \u201cWe fully support it. I know there are some anxieties for officers who are not used to having them. But the feedback, I\u2019ve spoken to other forces, other Federations and other cops who have had them are virtually unanimously positive.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the end of the day, it stops the false allegations, it deals with the investigations into officers early, and we understand from fracking operations throughout the country that it significantly cut the number of complaints against officers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt might need a little bit of a culture change, but it\u2019s a good thing, and I think once it\u2019s embedded and second nature to officers it\u2019s going to help out a hell of a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n
Part of the training in body-worn video use is to ensure the public know they are being recorded, a factor Steve hopes will see a reduction in the level of aggressive behaviour officers face every day on the streets.<\/p>\n
He explained: \u201cI certainly think it\u2019s a deterrent for aggressive behaviour because the video can be used evidentially, which is another plus point to it across the board.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd it just gives them that deterrent if they\u2019re going to make allegations against the officers, which we frequently see people making bogus claims, it\u2019s going to make people think twice about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also said it will also provide useful support in Post-Incident Procedure (PIPs) investigations.<\/p>\n
Steve added: \u201cIt won\u2019t answer all the questions because it doesn\u2019t always answer the officer\u2019s rationale, because it\u2019s the mindset of the officer using force or making rational decisions.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it certainly helps. It\u2019s certainly better to have it there than not.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, we support it and will help out the force in any way we can.\u201d<\/p>\n