KUALA LUMPUR: According to Comm Datuk Wan Hassan Wan Ahmad, director of the Bukit Aman Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department, the use of Body Worn Cameras (BWC) by police officers and personnel in the field will have a positive impact and outcome on the issue of wrongdoing and integrity. He said that the cameras could record any wrongdoing and be deployed to locations.
Comm Wan Hassan also mentioned that each BWC user will be equipped with an ID while on duty. Additionally, the cameras do not have a delete recording function, and they will be able to record video and audio for up to eight hours. He provided this information when contacted on Wednesday (Jan 31).
He further explained that the recordings of BWC could also be used as proof of a suspect’s verbal communication and action. Comm Wan Hassan emphasized that the use of BWC will be compulsory while on duty, and failure to adhere to the instruction to wear it will be a disciplinary offence. He also stated that the BWC would not only be able to curb wrongdoing and integrity problems among MPV and URB personnel, but it could also protect them from unwarranted criticism of their action while fulfilling their duties.
He also mentioned that the standard operating procedure (SOP) for using BWC has been completed and is being finalized before it can be distributed to all officers nationwide. He stressed the importance of the SOP to ensure that the instruction to use BWC fully is adhered to.
