Armed and frontline cops in South Yorkshire to wear body cams

All armed and frontline police officers in South Yorkshire are to wear body cams.
Assistant Chief Constable David HartleyAssistant Chief Constable David Hartley
Assistant Chief Constable David Hartley

Armed officers will be issued with the cameras first in April all other frontline bobbies will get their camera kit over the course of the year.

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The aim is to make policing more transparent and to provide actual footage of incidents when investigations need to be carried out if complaints are made or when reviews are needed.

Footage could also be used as evidence in court cases.

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POLICE UPDATE: Tests on human bones found in South Yorkshire continue todayAssistant Chief Constable David Hartley said the cameras will make policing more transparent.

"This is a national standard for armed officers and our plan is to role it out for all frontline officers," he said.

"It is a significant investment but the benefits are absolute transparency around what our officers do and are faced with daily, which will increase trust."

He said incidents involving armed officers are often scrutinised, so video footage will prove invaluable in detailing situations officers are faced with and the split second decisions they have to make in difficult situations.

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"An officer's recollection and perception of an incident can lose the sense of the scale of the challenge and difficulties faced and their split second decision making processes when it is written down in a statement. This footage will change that and give a full perspective of everything that was happening.

"The vast vast majority of officers are professional, highly motivated and make good decisions. These cameras will evidence that on a daily basis and will build up trust in our service.

"The introduction of these cameras can's come quick enough for us."