Tayside Police to begin wearing video cameras next spring

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Tayside Police will become the first division to don body worn video cameras as part of a national rollout.Officers in the area will begin wearing the devices next spring.The announcement was made by Tayside Police Chief Superintendent Nicola Russell to Perth and Kinross Council's Housing and Social Wellbeing Committee on Wednesday, November 27.Body worn videos are small, lightweight cameras visibly fitted to an officer's uniform.Police Scotland consulted the public between June and September 2021 on use of the devices.

Out of the 9310 responses from individuals and organisations, 82 per cent said they would support the use of body worn videos by police officers, operational staff and special constables.On Wednesday, Ch Supt Russell announced plans for the devices to be used by officers in Tayside.Ch Supt Russell told Perth and Kinross councillors at the meeting: "I'm delighted to announce the commitment to the rollout of body worn video to Police Scotland.

We'll see Tayside becoming the first division to have that in Spring 2025."We're working really hard internally with stakeholders and external stakeholders to ensure the infrastructure's all in place so that officers can be trained and out on the ground with that additional device and support mechanism."The device can be switched off and on by police officers to record both audio and visual footage but "wherever possible" the public will be informed prior to being recorded.A statement on the Police Scotland website states: "Where operationally viable, a camera is not turned on unless the member of the public is made aware by the police officer."That will continue to be the policy wherever possible.