Police Scotland body-worn cameras roll out begins

Police Scotland has begun its national roll out of body-worn cameras for on-duty officers.

Hundreds of officers on patrol in Tayside, including road policing officers and dog handlers, have been equipped with the technology

In the months following, over 10,500 cameras will be issued to frontline officers across the country as the roll out continues.

The force says the new equipment can help to de-escalate incidents, improve public trust in policing and reduce complaints, as well as support officers and staff safety, and bring wider benefits to the criminal justice system.

Every frontline uniformed police officer, including special constables, will be expected to wear a video camera on their uniform while on duty and to activate it when using police powers, whether a stop and search, an arrest of a suspect or executing a search warrant.

Police staff in custody suites will also use cameras when interacting with people in custody.

Chief constable Jo Farrell said there will be a gradual increase in officers with body-worn cameras across Scotland over the next 18 months.

She added: “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.”

Police Scotland said the footage from the cameras may be used as evidence, but it will not replace existing procedures and requirements when gathering all available information.

It will remain a matter for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) to review and determine competence on a case-by-case basis.

The footage will be uploaded to secure police systems, and the evidence will be shared with the COPFS using the new Digital Evidence Sharing Capability (DESC) system.

The cameras are expected to be introduced to the Highlands and Islands and North East in the summer of 2025 before moving into the east of the country in the autumn.

A national roll out was a key recommendation of Lady Elish Angiolini’s independent review of police complaints.

A public consultation on the cameras received more than 9,000 responses, with 81% agreeing that it would increase public confidence in policing.

Angela Constance, cabinet secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, commeted: “I am very pleased that the Scottish Government’s record investment in Police Scotland is continuing to support the national roll out of body worn video for officers and staff.

“Body-worn video can increase public confidence in policing and improve safety for police officers and staff. It can also benefit victims and witnesses of crime by allowing cases to be brought to court sooner,” she said.

“The use of body-worn video is supported by a world-leading £33m Scottish Government initiative for sharing digital evidence from crime scene to courtroom.

“Digital Evidence Sharing Capability (DESC), which is also being rolled out across Scotland, is leading to efficiencies across the criminal justice system, delivering benefits for victims, police officers, prosecutors, defence lawyers, court staff and judges.”

Fiona McQueen, CBE, Scottish Police Authority Interim chair, said the roll out of the cameras has been a “longstanding aspiration” for Police Scotland.

“The benefits of this technology are well documented. It will benefit the safety of our officers and the public and wider criminal justice system in terms of the effectiveness of investigations,” she said.