Force set to be the first to use new camera technology
DYFEDPOWYS Police is set to be the first force this side of the Atlantic to use new in-car camera technology capable of capturing a 360-degree picture of any traffic incident or crime on the roads.
Designed by Axon, the global leader in law enforcement technologies, the cameras are the first of their kind in the UK and will allow officers to download vital video evidence directly.
The force says that the system will free up hours of police officer time, with an instant digital upload rather than hours spent downloading and burning onto discs to store footage as potential evidence.
Following Dyfed-Powys Police taking the lead, ultimately, the in-car camera system will be rolled out, taken up by forces across England and Wales.
Axon is a network of devices, apps and people that helps law enforcement become smarter and safer.
The cameras carry all of the benefits of Axon’s body-worn cameras which have now been adopted by officers across 14 forces in the UK.
Importantly for DyfedPowys this will mean using the same systems across all camera and evidence equipment meaning a true 360-degree picture of any incident as well as huge time and cost savings and a more seamless service.
Dyfed-Powys police are rolling out the cameras across 31 vehicles including both armed response and traffic vehicles.
This means that DyfedPowys are set to be the first force with a fully integrated system of body worn cameras, in-car cameras and a digital evidence platform which footage can be stored on.
The integration means a seamless process of evidence gathering, streamlining the workflow with wireless upload – making the approach a cost-effective one.
Catherine Davies, project manager for the introduction of the cameras, known as Axon Fleet 2, at Dyfed-Powys Police, said:
“The introduction of in-car video within our fleet here at Dyfed-Powys Police means that officers now have yet another pair of eyes at scenes of road traffic collisions and other incidents, live time evidence of motoring offences and evidential footage during pursuits.
“This technology further improves accountability for us as a service and helps to protect our officers during often vulnerable times, when transporting prisoners and patrolling our many, many miles of road alone.”