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19
WQ.246/2018
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS BY DEPUTY M.R. HIGGINS OF ST. HELIER
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 6th NOVEMBER 2018
Question
Will the Minister advise members whether all uniformed police officers responding to calls for assistance wear body cameras and whether such officers are required to activate their camera on arriving at an alleged crime scene, and whether all officers attending an incident and dealing with a suspect must subsequently provide the footage from their camera as evidence (i.e. not just the arresting officer); and will he further explain how this evidence is stored and how long the evidence from the camera is retained?
Answer
The States of Jersey Police is committed to making the most efficient use of its resources and to obtaining the best evidence through the utilisation of new technology, including bodyworn video in all appropriate circumstances.
All Community Officers are trained and have access to bodyworn video. All police officers must ensure that they take possession of a camera at the start of their tour of duty.
Recording guiding principles are:
- The camera should be switched on when footage might support professional observation' or would corroborate what would be written in a pocket book;
- The decision to record or not to record any incident remains with the user;
- The user should be mindful that failing to record incidents that are of evidential value may require explanation in court.
In the event that a camera is not utilised, or inoperable, then the officer must record and justify the reasons in their pocket notebook.
The recording officer should also at the commencement of any recording, where practicable, make a verbal announcement to indicate why the recording has been activated. If possible, this should include:
- Date, time and location;
- Confirmation, where practicable, to those present that the incident is now being recorded using both video and audio.
All officers who attend an incident are required to follow these protocols.
All material obtained during an incident, including bodyworn video, is subject to the guidelines on disclosure issued by the Attorney General.
The camera system is supported and managed by Digital Evidence Management Software (DEMS). This provides a full audit trail ensuring evidential continuity is maintained.
Evidential recordings are retained in line with code of practice on the Management of Police Information (MOPI). All other recordings are kept for 30 days in compliance with Data Protection Legislation.