Police officers launched body-worn video cameras that will capture evidence when attending crimes – and Park Gate station will receive 12 of these new devices.
Watch video of the launch
Hampshire Constabulary’s body-worn video (BWV) devices are visible cameras that officers will wear attached to their chest to capture video and audio evidence when attending all types of crime incidents to help support prosecutions.
It will be rolled out across the force during the spring with all stations to receive the 270 cameras within the next 28 days.
The £261,000 equipment will primarily be used by the force’s response teams, with Safer Neighbourhoods officers able to utilise any available cameras.
Ch Insp Gavin McMillan and a Force Support Unit officer talk about the BWV cameras
Chief Inspector Gavin McMillan, who is leading the BWV project for Hampshire Constabulary, said the new devices outshone previous equipment which would break easily, have wires that would be pulled off by offenders and was slow to download footage at the stations after the incidents.
He said: “The use of body-worn video equipment across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight has provided additional independent evidence to help support the prosecution of offenders, deter anti-social behaviour and ultimately improve community safety.
“That visual paints a thousand words – more than any notes would. It can be shown and demonstrated in court. If you go to an incident and you have the victim there you can capture their emotions and what they’re talking about. It shows the scene of the incident.
“The new generation camera being supplied to officers will provide them with the most up-to-date technology on the market. The equipment will be supported by intelligent software that will make the management of the material obtained acceptable to the Crown Prosecution Service and the courts.
“I am keen to see officers making use of the cameras at every incident they attend, because it will provide essential additional evidence that will help prevent and detect crime, and bring offenders to justice,” said Ch Insp McMillan.
The force also aims to influence a change in legislation of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, which currently does not allow officers to use the equipment in voluntary interviews.
The Isle of Wight Body-Worn Video Project, known as Operation Hyperion, is the world’s first county-wide deployment of body-worn video systems. The Operation will provide the blueprint for other police forces globally to replicate. The BWV equipment has been supplied by Reveal Media.