Police Scotland is starting a roll out of body worn video. The first officers equipped with the new cameras went on duty in Tayside. Around 750 Tayside officers, including road policing officers and dog handlers, will have the devices over the coming weeks; and the Highlands and Islands and north east in the summer.
Some 10,500 Home Office-approved Motorola Solutions VB400 cameras will be issued to front-line officers from constable to inspector ranks, and to police custody staff, across Scotland. The equipment, police say, can help to de-escalate incidents, improve public trust in policing and reduce complaints, and support officer and staff safety.
Since taking command in October 2023, Chief Constable Jo Farrell has prioritised the introduction of body worn video. She said: “The national roll out of body worn video has commenced with the first police officers out on patrol in Tayside today. All frontline officers and custody staff in Tayside Division will be equipped over the coming weeks.
“During the next 18 months, you will see a gradual increase in officers with body worn video cameras across Scotland. In cities and rural communities, in our communities on the roads, hospitals and schools and anywhere else they are required to carry out their duties. Body worn video can significantly enhance public confidence and support officer and public safety by providing effective and transparent evidence of police and public interactions.
“The technology will also improve the quality of evidence presented in court to deliver faster justice for victims by increasing early guilty pleas and reducing time spent at court for victims, witnesses and police officers. There is strong public and partner support for body worn video in Scotland and we will continue to explain our use of this important technology including assurance around data privacy and human rights considerations.”
A national roll out was a key recommendation of Lady Elish Angiolini’s independent review of police complaints. A Scottish public consultation on body worn video received more than 9,000 responses and showed support for its introduction, as 81 per cent agreed that it would increase public confidence in policing.
Numerous other forces have the VB400 such as Lancashire Police, besides the train operator ScotRail; while Poundland store employees are among recent users of Motorola Solutions’ VT100 body cameras.
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