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Keeping a head in technology
Head camera pilot in progress
Devon and Cornwall Constabulary is currently participating in a six-month pilot during which they will be assessing the latest technology available to the police service, the ‘Head Camera’. The pilot is due to be completed as we go to press (end of March 2007) and will incorporate a comprehensive trial and evaluation. The aim of the pilot is to evaluate the technology, assess how it can be used in wider policing areas and establish the evidential impact.
The pilot is primarily taking place within the South and Central sectors of Plymouth BCU which essentially encompasses the business, evening and night time economy districts of Plymouth City with limited residential areas. The other four sectors of Plymouth BCU have a greater percentage of residential areas than commercial areas.
Process Evolution Limited has been commissioned to make an independent review of this pilot trial to identify issues and quantify the benefits that the Head Cameras offer in terms of officer time saved and proportion of offenders brought to justice.
The output of the final report will provide a more complete analysis of the benefits and issues found at each step of the process along with a simulation model that will enable a number of different scenarios to be evaluated in the context of force-wide implementation.
The technology
The technology comprises of a small colour camera, which is worn on the side of an officer’s head and is linked to a hard drive. The camera records audio and visual footage and will be used to document what an officer is seeing and doing at the scene of an incident. It is thought that this method of evidence gathering will significantly reduce police officer time spent in terms of paperwork and file preparation. This will improve the way in which officers can organise their day, allowing them to spend more time out on the streets, increasing visibility and public confidence.
The use of this type of digital evidence could also lead to further improvements throughout the judicial system. The footage can be viewed by the offender, their defence and the Judge and Jury, enabling the ‘crime scene to be brought into the court room’ and therefore leading to much earlier guilty pleas – ensuring the guilty party is convicted swiftly, saving both time and money.
The ability that Head Cameras provide officers to confront offenders with their actions by replaying footage to them, has already identified that offenders are more likely to plead guilty or accept on-the-spot fines or cautions rather than contest their cases in court.
It is important to note however that the cameras are not covert but clearly visible and advertising the presence of Head Cameras is expected to reduce crimes occurring.
The pilot is focussing on violence related incidents, including alcohol related violence, violence in public places and domestic violence. Some 300 officers have been trained to use any of the 50 cameras available during day and night patrols; this trial therefore covers a wide breadth of incident types. There is also the potential to capture other crimes and any secondary crimes.
According to the interim report, published earlier this year, it states that the data currently available is insufficient to establish the real impact of crime reduction as a direct result of the Head Camera, however early signs are promising and further analysis will be included in the final report.
Furthermore the Interim Report also states that, “To date it is possible to provide anecdotal evidence where Head Camera evidence has resulted in early guilty pleas on a case by case basis. For instance: A female was arrested and charged with a number of violence offences on both her partner and Police following a domestic incident. The case was brought to justice within 17 days due to compelling evidence from the Head Camera footage. The female’s solicitor stated that the evidence was beyond question.”
“Anecdotal evidence also suggests that there is a reduction in officer time spent on paperwork.”
Officer safety
The evidence assessed so far also suggests that the Head Camera is a useful tool in reducing complaints against Police. It will protect the officer against false accusations and instances where offenders may self harm to support a later case for complaint.
This has been demonstrated in one case already where the Head Camera was used. The offender resisted arrest and claimed excessive force was used.
The Head Camera contained evidence that disproved the allegation and the offender subsequently withdrew their complaint.
