At recent meetings of the Performance Committee members have received updates in relation to the introduction of Body Worn Video (BWV) into the PSNI. Given the opportunity cost and significant financial investment to date is the Chief Constable satisfied that:
1. The Project has been established and managed effectively?
2. A timely and effective evaluation process has underpinned the project?
3. The ‘roll out’ of BWV has been supported by training ,protocols and procedures that will ensure a consistent application and operation of BWV across all PSNI Districts and activities where it has been introduced to date?, and,
4. BWV as it operates and is being managed currently, constitutes good value for money?
The original Business Case for the implementation of Body Worn Video (BWV) was informed by academic research and other Pilot data from a range of sites, all of which indicated potential benefits for policing. No academic evaluation of the overall use of BWV within the PSNI has been commissioned at this stage. However, I am aware that T/ACC Mairs previously offered to meet the Performance Committee to present further detail on use of BWV, discuss any concerns and also explore any proposals that the Board may have to commission further evaluation work. This offer still stands.
It is accepted that management of the evaluation of a “Pilot Scheme” of BWV in 2016 in Derry/Londonderry fell below the standards expected, both by the Policing Board and the PSNI. As a result of this, the PSNI’s approach to such evaluations was changed to prevent recurrence. I am aware that the Performance Committee of the Policing Board has been provided with the Post-Project Evaluation for Body Worn Video.
BWV is now established in all policing districts for Local and Neighbourhood policing teams, as well as Tactical Support Groups and Roads Policing Units.
The system is also used by Hostage and Crisis Negotiators, Armed Response Units, Major Investigation Teams and officers investigating offences related to human trafficking.
BWV training is now embedded within the Student Officer Training Programme and solutions for sharing footage with other criminal justice partners are in place.
All officers are trained in the use of BWV before access is granted to them to use the system. This training covers the practical usage of the camera as well as addressing the circumstances during which they should be used. This is supported and reinforced by information on the police intranet site which includes links to guidance from the College of policing. Further PSNI guidance on the use of BWV will shortly be made available to officers to provide more support to ensure consistency across the service and metrics in respect of the use of BWV are already incorporated into Service Performance. For example, the Policing Powers Delivery Group (PPDG), chaired by ACC Alan Todd, monitors the levels and consistency of use of BWV during Stop and Search and has commissioned an action plan to increase compliance from current trends.
An internal User Satisfaction Questionnaire showed that the vast majority of officers believe it has had a positive impact on the safety and security of both victims and officers, providing a transparent record of interactions. The use of Body Worn Video evidence in Court has also received support from Senior members of the Judiciary, particularly when used in cases linked to domestic abuse.
A benefits realisation is being analysed by the Office of the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland in an effort to establish what, if any, positive effect BWV has had on the level and nature of complaints.
The capital costs of the project were approximately £1,117k less than initially estimated. This was achieved through increased efficiencies, the use of existing infrastructures and a reduction in the number of cameras and attachments required.
BWV is expected to contribute to efficiency savings in the criminal justice system through enhancing the quality of evidence gathered and swifter justice by way of early guilty pleas and admissions.
Overall, I am confident that consistent use of this technology is a key tenet in demonstrating that the PSNI is accountable and transparent in daily policing encounters, and that it is a key tool to help improve police legitimacy and adherence to the policing with the community principles.