Unexpected Misuse of Police Body-Cams in England and Wales

Over 150 incidents of improper use of body-worn cameras by police officers in England and Wales have been uncovered by a recent BBC investigation.

According to the BBC’s findings, some officers are deliberately turning off their cameras, deleting video recordings, and even sharing captured footage on platforms like WhatsApp. The investigation highlighted over 150 such reported misuses.

The inquiry revealed grave concerns. In seven police departments, there were instances where officers distributed camera recordings to friends or fellow officers, either in person or through online social networks.

Other complaints included the dissemination of images of an unclothed individual amongst officers and the unauthorized recording of conversations using the body cameras.

There were further reports of videos disappearing, intentional deletion of footage, failures to label videos as evidence, and officers deactivating their cameras during events without repercussions.

Acting Chief Constable Jim Colwell, the National Police Chief Council’s representative for body-worn video, commented to the BBC, emphasizing that such actions seriously undermine the public’s trust in law enforcement.

In response to the findings, the Home Office stated that the use of technology by the police, including body-worn cameras, should always be “lawful, proportionate, and justified.”

In a move towards greater oversight, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has recently formed the London Policing Board. This was motivated by Baroness Louise Casey’s recommendations after reviewing the Metropolitan Police’s culture and standards. Baroness Casey remarked to the BBC that there’s a pervasive incorrect attitude within the police force concerning these cameras. She emphasized the importance of officers embracing these tools to bolster public trust, rather than suppressing it.

Meanwhile, in related news, a high-ranking police official from Ireland expressed optimism about the transformative potential of body-worn cameras for Irish policing. A testing phase will commence next year, with a broader deployment anticipated in 2025. Furthermore, Huzma Yousaf, Scotland’s First Minister, has committed to providing Scotland’s law enforcement officers with body-worn cameras.