Police must be ‘transparent’ with bodycam footage to boost trust
POLICE should be ready to release their officers’ body-worn video footage in the event of the mistaken use of firearms, Tasers and other use of force, one of Britain’s top police officers has said.
Chief Constable Andy Marsh, head of the College of Policing, said police chiefs should be “open” and “transparent” with the footage not only on a “good day” but also on a “bad day” to boost public trust and learn lessons from errors. He told The Sunday Telegraph:
“In terms of issues of the highest public concern, there are ways in which chief constables can share footage, sometimes to selected independent scrutiny panels, sometimes more widely in a way that will build confidence and develop trust that the police are open, transparent and accountable.
“But let me make this clear, we can’t only do it on a good day. The police have to acknowledge mistakes when made.”
Asked to detail scenarios, he said it could range from the “most extreme cases”, such as the use of lethal force, to more likely incidents where Tasers, handcuffs, PAVA spray and batons are deployed by officers.
“Where there are public concerns, the police need to be as open, transparent and dynamic as possible in sharing the body-worn video footage,” said Mr Marsh, who was the first chief constable to issue his frontline officers with bodyworn cameras when he headed Avon and Somerset Police.
“This gives great reassurance that the officers have acted legitimately, maybe even bravely, but also alternatively gives reassurance that where things have not gone well, the police will be open and transparent about dealing with it and learning from it.”
His comments follow the row over the shooting of rapper Chris Kaba, 24, who was killed last month after a police pursuit of his car in south London.
His family was shown body-worn camera footage of the moments before his death just over two weeks later, after which they said they would not make any further comment.
The college, the professional body for policing, is drawing up new guidance on the deployment and use of bodyworn video, which forces in England and Wales have now issued to most frontline officers.
The reaction from frontline officers has been largely positive because the video footage can provide incontestable evidence of a crime or incident.
It can also provide a rapid check on the validity of complaints by a suspect or member of the public as the footage can show quickly if they are justified without the officer having to face a longer investigation.
One former firearms officer said: “When I was in armed response, it got to the point where officers didn’t want to leave patrol base without body-worn video because it was so good at capturing what happened and could settle complaints overnight.”
Mr Marsh said: “I do think that openness and transparency is an antidote to mistrust. Chief constables should be more ready to share body worn video on a good day and on a bad day.”