Police To Wear Body Cams Starting September This Year
Datuk Wan Hassan Wan Ahmad said the use of bodycams will improve governance and enhance the image of the police force.
By Melissa Alvina - 01 Feb 2024, 02:23 AM
Cover image via Police officers will be gradually equipped with body-worn cameras (BWCs) starting September this year
According to the New Straits Times, a total of 7,648 BWCs will be distributed to the police force in stages until February 2025.
Bukit Aman Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department director Datuk Wan Hassan Wan Ahmad announced that the cameras will be first deployed for use in the Mobile Patrol Vehicle (MPV) unit and the Motorcycle Patrol Unit (URB).
"The BWCs will be placed in 157 district police headquarters and 640 police stations throughout the contingent and its use will be [started] in phases from October.
"Currently, we expect the BWCs to be fully used by MPV and URB officers in March next year," he said.
Wan Hassan added that the use of body cameras will later be extended to include the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department
He further mentioned that the MPV and UBR personnel will undergo comprehensive training sessions from March to December next year to handle the BWCs.
Image via FMT
The director said the use of BWCs will improve governance and enhance the image of the police within the community
"In line with the development of technology and increasingly challenging policing assignments, we hope that the use of BWCs will be able to improve good governance in the assignment of crime prevention patrols among MPV and URB officers," said Wan Hassan.
"With BWCs embedded in police uniforms, it will further improve the relationship and cooperation between the public and the police because every conversation they have is recorded," he added.
He said recorded footage can serve as evidence in court, aiding in criminal cases, particularly those involving allegations of defamation against officers while carrying out law enforcement duties.
He further stated that the police force will be the sole public security agency in the country to adopt the latest technology, aligning with the principles of modern policing.
