Frontline Officers To Wear Cameras To Provide Video Evidence

Frontline officers from Derry City and Strabane Police are to wear new cameras on their uniforms as part of a new scheme in Northern Ireland.

The 'Body Worn Video' technology will be used to provide video evidence.

Chief Superintendent Stephen Cargin from the Legacy and Justice Department said: "I am pleased to say that officers from Derry City and Strabane District are the first officers within the service to use to this new equipment.

"They have received training for the camera and on the supporting technology to ensure that the integrity of the footage is protected, while making it as easy as possible to access and utilise this material when preparing files.

"Our internal information and communications Services are playing an integral part in the delivery of Body Worn Video too. They have invested a great deal of effort and energy into processes to make the system user friendly."

Justice Minister Claire Sugden said: "Video evidence can provide a compelling account of the activities of victims and suspects and enables the raw emotion and action from a scene to be replayed in the courts, in a manner that could never be captured in a witness statement.

"This will bring a range of benefits for both the criminal justice system and victims of crime, through improving the quality of evidence and outcomes as well as potentially speeding up justice.

"It forms part of a package of measures which my Department has committed to developing to enhance the existing specialist listing arrangement for victims of domestic violence within the local court which will include measures to address perpetrator behaviour."

The scheme is to be introduced in Belfast later this year.

(CD/JP)