BWVSG | minutes
Tom Ellis - Institute of Criminal Justice Studies | University of Portsmouth
The Impact of Personal Issue Body Worn Video Cameras on the Isle of Wight
-The best way to measure is before, during and after
-26% of residents are aware BWV is being used, 11% have noticed BWV being used and 1.2% have been involved in an incident with BWV
-There is a high level of trust in the police to record all appropriate incidents
-There is a general belief that BWV will help gather evidence, identify criminals and increase the likelihood of conviction, among other things.
-The police themselves are very positive about the concept, even more so than the public
-Results of interim are positive in favour of personal issue cameras
-There was a significant reduction in crime on the Isle of Wight compared to the rest of Hampshire
-Complaints against police dropped significantly
-Final report is due around October 2014
Tricia Rich – ICT Project Manager | Staffordshire Police
Transition from project implementation to “business-as-usual”
-530 cameras are deployed with 300 computers running management software, over 1500 officers trained in BWV.New policy approved.
-This has been done incrementally, every few months another part was initiated. It wasn’t rolled out together.
-Very positive uptake from end users, support and management. End users have said it’s the “best bit of kit” they have ever had.
-In order to move from project implementation to “business-as-usual”, you must let go of the project and hand it over. Holding on to it will hinder the transition.
-Pass on lessons learnt to new department looking after BWV.
- Be agile
- Manage risks quickly
- Review and adapt
- Take a strong business ownership
- Work closely with the team you are handing over to
- Take support that’s offered. Training, communications
- Stay in touch with the new team
Steve Goodier - Staff officer to National Policing Lead for BWV | Hampshire Constabulary
New National Guidance
-Principle 1: ‘The use of body-worn video, by the police, is lawful.’
-Principle 2: ‘Data will be processed and managed in line with Home Office Management of Police Information (2005), College of Policing (2013) APP on Information Management and the principles of the Data Protection Act 1998.’
-Principle 3: ‘The normal use of body-worn video will be overt.’
-Principle 4: ‘The operational use of body-worn video must be proportionate, legitimate and necessary.’
-Principle 5: ‘Use of body-worn video will be incident specific. Officers will use common sense and sound judgement when using body-worn video, in support of the principles of best evidence.’
-Principle 6: ‘Body-worn video does not replace conventional forms of evidence gathering (such as written statements and Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) interviews), it supports them.’
-Principle 7: ‘Forces will consult locally with their communities on the use of body-worn video.’
Matthew Wroughton – project manager | West Midlands Fire Service
BWV in the fire service
-Big fires are making their way into national newspapers – how does the fire service prepare for this?
-BWV used in training to play back to front line fire fighters.
-Subjectivity in being human means our decisions are affected by a number of factors.
-Cameras record split second and thought out decisions to be objectively reviewed by the person who made them at a later time.
-BWV can be used in conjunction with other means of recording. It complements the other means.
Dr. Barak Ariel | Cambridge University
How to measure BWV projects
-There are socio-geographical nuances between use of BWV, not whether it works or not.
-Random control tests are vital. Measure incidents with BWV to those without BWV.
-There is a surprising uptake by Police on this technology.
-BWV dramatically reduces complaints on officers, which in turn can save a department a lot of time and money.
Steve Goodier - Staff officer to National Policing Lead for BWV | Hampshire Constabulary
Scaling your BWV project
-500 RS3 BWV’s, 180 Personal Issue on the Isle of Wight, 1000 Purchased from 2013/14 Innovation fund, 1300 Needed to complete full roll out (2014/15)
-Need to update infrastructure before rolling out more cameras. At the moment they burn everything to discs which is not scalable. New infrastructure will include hi-speed internet connections which will allow full benefits of BWV to be realised.
-In order to experience full benefits, make sure there is sufficient training.
-E – Learning, Extra Training for the SPOC’s, Initial Training, Front line training ( Uniformed police officers), Bespoke CID investigators training, Videos – case studies should all be used.