Police turn off cameras

POLICE on the beat say dozens of body-worn cameras rolled out at a cost of more than $6 million to the taxpayer are not being used and left in station cupboards.

And even when they are taken out, the cameras – introduced to keep both police and community safe – are turned off or the footage gathered is “not sent off to the Cloud” to be kept on computer databases.

Several police sources said feedback into the rollout of 2700 body-worn cameras had produced confronting results for senior police managers unsure of a quick solution.

“There’s been a review. About 40 per cent of the 2700 haven’t been turned on or used,” a police source said.

“At one crime unit, they found 15 of the cameras had been put in drawers. If they are taking them out, they stop recording once they’re outside.”

“Many of the officers are too scared in case they breach policy or do or say the wrong thing.”

Another police source said the only stations on the Coast which had body-worn cameras were Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and Southport, along with the Rapid Action Patrol unit.

The QPS was last night unable to respond by deadline to the specific usage claims of body-worn cameras, but said it would offer further comment today.

In a statement, the QPS said the rollout of the cameras was the biggest in the world and co-ordinated by a dedicated team which addressed “technical, training or procedural issues”.

“By the end of 2017, 5100 devices will be in use by police at 168 stations across the state,” the statement said.

Police allocated body-worn cameras during their shifts were required to activate the camera when they use force or exercise power under the Police Powers and Responsibilities Act, a QPS spokesman said.

The Queensland Police Union has been a strong supporter of the cameras and Labor agreed to introduce the technology on winning Government.

Opposition police spokesman Tim Mander fears the issue shows “a disconnect between senior management and the support that officers need on the frontline to keep Queenslanders safe”.

“Labor needs to sort this out quickly before the body-worn camera rollout becomes a complete farce,” he said.

THERE’S BEEN A REVIEW. ABOUT 40 PER CENT OF THE 2700 HAVEN’T BEEN TURNED ON OR USED POLICE SOURCE