Body-worn video cameras could help put domestic abusers behind bars, research by Greater Manchester’s Independent Police Ethics Committee has found.
In its first published report, the committee, set up by Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd last August, examines the ethical dilemmas around the police use of body-worn video to gather images and audio that can later be used as evidence.
They found that the technology could help improve the criminal justice journey for victims of domestic abuse, by gathering crucial evidence to make it easier and quicker to get a conviction, and relieving the pressure on victims who don’t feel able to attend court.
However, there were also concerns that the use of body worn video could exacerbate already volatile situations that the use of discretion around whether to record or not record could be abused by police officers.
Chair of the committee, Bishop of Manchester Rt Revd Dr David Walker said: “The use of body-worn video is a contentious one which raises many ethical questions and dilemmas. I and the other members of the committee welcomed the opportunity to examine this issue, bringing together our varied skills and experiences and speaking to local people so we can advise GMP on how best to use this new technology without impacting on public confidence.
“It’s clear from our research that the use of body-worn video brings potential benefits to victims of crime, police officers and prosecutors, and could help to reduce crime – providing there are safeguards in place. In particular, we were struck by the views of the women’s group who felt that body-worn video could help speed up the justice process and even shock perpetrators to change their behaviour once they see on film the devastating consequences of their abuse.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd said: “I would like to thank the Bishop and the members of the Ethics Committee for giving their time to examine this complex issue. While it’s clear there are benefits to using this technology, particularly around improving the victim’s journey, there are obvious concerns and it’s important these are independently considered. The Ethics Committee plays a vital role – helping to ensure that GMP acts with the highest level of integrity and ethical standards.
“I welcome the recommendations and will work with the Chief Constable about how best to implement them so that the public can have confidence that the technology is being used in the right way, putting the needs of victims and the wider community at the forefront.”
Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy said: “We welcome the report and are grateful to the committee for their recommendations. The use of body worn cameras is a complicated issue that can only be decided on with the support and input of both our communities and officers alike. Reports such as this will be crucial in helping us make these decisions.”
Members of the committee spoke to young people, community groups and police officers across Greater Manchester to gather their views on the pros and cons of the technology. The committee considered a number of issues including officer’s use of discretion, how the use of body-worn video affects vulnerable victims and the wider impact on the police’s relationship with the public.
The committee makes 14 recommendations to GMP including:
• Police should use discretion whether to continue recording vulnerable victims, with the presumption that recording will continue but with the video directed away from the victim so audio is still captured.
• Images captured of innocent bystanders, including children, should by obscured when used for evidence.
• Victims of domestic abuse should be given the option of reviewing the video recording.
• Recordings of anti-social behaviour and other offending, such as domestic abuse, should be replayed to perpetrators at a later date to act as a deterrent against future incidents.
