Body Worn Cameras and Training
Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.033539
I note you seek access to the following information:
I am developing a thesis for the doctorate Program at my Institution with the following theme: “ Institutional strategy for enhancing the training and qualification of operational personnel for the use of body cameras in the Military Police of the State of São Paulo.” With the aim of seeking information on how the London Metropolitan Police manages the issue of training and enabling its police officers to use body cameras, both before they use them for the first time in policing, and after they are already using it on a daily basis, I direct myself to this Institution, inviting you to answer some questions, so I can understand how the subject of training the use of body cameras in your police is dealt with. The collaboration of the London Metropolitan Police in answering the form below will be of great importance, bringing legitimacy to my research. Thank you very much in advance!!!
Question 1 – When have the London Metropolitan Police started using the body cameras? Why were they implemented?
Question 2 – When implementing body cameras, was there any specific training program for police officers before they started using the equipment? Have all police officers received this training?
Question 3 – How was this training developed and what main issues were discussed with the police officers? What was the workload for this training?
Question 4 – Even after the implementation of body câmeras, is training still carried out for police officers? For what purpose and how does it occur?
Question 5 – What were the main problems and difficulties faced in the training process of the police officers before they began to effectively use body cameras?
Question 6 – After starting to use the equipment, what were the main problems faced in relation to the use of the câmeras? How were these problems handled when detected? Are there still problems related to the use of cameras by police officers today?
Question 7 – Does the London Metropolitan Police understand that training and enabling police officers to use body cameras is important? For what reason?
Final comments: Is there any suggestion or information you would like to add that could complemente my paper?
Decision
I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.
Please find below information pursuant to your request above.
Q1 – When have the London Metropolitan Police started using the body cameras? Why were they implemented?
The MPS commenced the role out of BWV in 2016, with all London boroughs equipped with BWV by end of August 2017.
The reason for the introduction can be found in this article published at the time:
Mayor on track to roll-out police body cameras across the Met | London City Hall
It can also be found in the Policy Statement:
The Commissioner at the time of their introduction, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, said:
"Body-worn video will support our officers in the many challenging situations they have to deal with, at the same time as building the public's confidence. What we do every day will be seen by the public - that has to be good."
Sir Bernard added: “Our experience of using cameras already shows that people are more likely to plead guilty when they know we have captured the incident on a camera. That then speeds up justice, puts offenders behind bars more quickly and most importantly protects potential victims.
Video captures events in a way that can’t be represented on paper in the same detail, a picture paints a thousand words, and it has been shown the mere presence of this type of video can often defuse potentially violent situations without the need for force to be used.
People have pleaded guilty when seeing evidence on film rather than challenging what our officers said happened. It’s powerful because it captures the emotional state of everyone at the scene. It will capture the suspect, the victim or how children appear affected. This is a vital piece in the chain to make sure what we do is transparent.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan, said: "Body Worn Video is a huge step forward in bringing our capital's police force into the 21st century and encouraging trust and confidence in community policing.
This technology is already helping drive down complaints against officers and making them more accountable, as well as helping to gather better evidence for swifter justice. As we roll them out across London, these cameras will make a real difference to officers, as they continue their great work on the frontline fighting crime and keeping our city safe."
Q2 – When implementing body cameras, was there any specific training program for police officers before they started using the equipment? Have all police officers received this training?
The MPS’s training on the use of Body worn video is an online package. All officers and police staff complete the package before using a BWV camera. In addition to this all new joiners to the MPS are given a classroom input on BWV and its use.
Q3 – How was this training developed and what main issues were discussed with the police officers? What was the workload for this training?
The training package was written in conjunction with the College of Policing and hosted on the College of Policing learning platform.
It is not a face to face training session so there is no discussion with officers during the training.
The training is broken down into modules so officers can complete all at once fit into around their other duties.
Q4 – Even after the implementation of body cameras, is training still carried out for police officers? For what purpose and how does it occur?
Every new joiner to the MPS completes the online training package as part of their recruit training. However, once trained upon its use, there is no refresher course.
Q5 – What were the main problems and difficulties faced in the training process of the police officers before they began to effectively use body cameras?
The training is an online package not face to face; once officers have completed their training they are able to use a BWV camera. Providing an online package reduced any difficulties around delivery of the training.
Q6 – After starting to use the equipment, what were the main problems faced in relation to the use of the cameras? How were these problems handled when detected? Are there still problems related to the use of cameras by police officers today?
This request is somewhat vague. However, there have been no issues reported in relation to the provision of training or the use of the equipment, which is simple to use.
Q7 – Does the London Metropolitan Police understand that training and enabling police officers to use body cameras is important? For what reason?
There was no recorded information located that answered this question and therefore this information is not held by the MPS.
Some other information that may be of use to you can be found on the following websites:
Body Worn Video (BWV) | Metropolitan Police
Home Office - Guidance for the Police use of Body-Worn Video Devices