Police officers in Burnham-On-Sea, and across the force area, will begin using body worn video cameras from the end of this year.
Initially there will be 2,300 cameras, which will be distributed in a phased approach to front-line police officers and PCSOs, and additional body worn video cameras will be used by other roles within the force in the future.
The body worn video cameras are visible cameras which will be worn by officers as part of their uniform that will enable quality digital evidence to be captured to assist the criminal justice process.
They will also provide an additional level of protection for officers and increase the transparency of their work.
Under the Data Protection Act 1998, police forces have a duty to inform a person that their actions are being recorded on body worn cameras for evidence purposes and officers will be obliged to clearly state when they are recording an individual.
Chief Constable Andy Marsh, National Police Lead for body worn video, said: “When an officer wears a camera, the evidence captured is often much higher quality. I have seen earlier admissions and quicker pleas, together with better informed sentences and sanctions from courts.”
“I want to equip my officers and PCSO’s so they can provide a high quality service to the public that is open and transparent, and keeps them safe. I believe that body worn video cameras will help us deliver this as well as helping to professionalise the service we offer.”
“A picture paints a thousand words and this is a further step in using digitalisation to transform policing and the criminal justice service for the better.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens added: “It’s important that the officers and PCSOs have the right technology to do their job, serving local people as effectively and efficiently as possible. The new technology will transform the way the police work, achieve better outcomes and create fewer complaints.”
“These body worn cameras will also make a real difference in giving local people more confidence in their policing service.”
Reveal Media has been chosen as the supplier of the cameras following a market review followed by further evaluation and more extensive testing of two final suppliers. Reveal Media already supplies over 20 police forces with the cameras.
