Action cameras for frontline police officers to enhance law enforcement transparency

Police representative has told an Independent Police Complaints Council meeting today that the force has added high resolution action video cameras as a piece of additional equipment for frontline riot officers since October 1, enhancing the transparency of law enforcement.

In past year’s social unrest, officers were usually seen holding video recorders by hand, recording the scene of police operations. Starting on October 1, action cameras were seen installed on frontline riot officers’ helmets.

The police representative said such measures are to protect the force from malicious rumors, and the footage can be used as evidence in court.

Apart from the newly deployed action cameras, the force said there are also around 10,000 body worn video cameras being deployed for patrol units.

“In the past five years, such body cameras assited officers in over 80 percent of the cases, calming the people who were being recorded,” the police representative added.

During the meeting, the police also said they welcome the idea of enacting legislation to prohibit acts of insulting police officers and other public officers, but stressed that further actions can only be taken with more community consensus.