A UNION is demanding all Tasmanian police be allowed to wear body cameras to improve officer safety and reduce the number of not guilty pleas. The Police Association of Tasmania said the cameras would also aid internal investigators when complaints arose against officers. The cameras are being trialled by Tasmania Police's elite special operations group but there are no plans to roll them out to the rank and file. Union acting president Gavin Cashion said police, who attend jobs alone, were actually given a directive not to use body cameras last month. "It is a ridiculous situation when every member of the public has access to their mobile phone video camera and is free to use it in a public place," Detective Constable Cashion said. "But Tasmania Police officers who are involved on a daily basis with interactions with dangerous, violent, drug-affected and unpredictable offenders are prohibited to use available technology by their own service." Assistant Police Commissioner Richard Cowling said the service would continue to monitor how the cameras have worked interstate including the necessary legislative requirements and management of footage. Any rollout would likely come with cumbersome privacy requirements regarding the handling of personal information. In addition, the rollout could cost about $1 million based on $1000 a unit. The union also wants onboard cameras in police cars, a request first made in 2004, pointing to comments by the service yesterday requesting dash cam footage from the public.
A UNION is demanding all Tasmanian police be allowed to wear body cameras to improve officer safety and reduce the number of not guilty pleas.
The Police Association of Tasmania said the cameras would also aid internal investigators when complaints arose against officers.
The cameras are being trialled by Tasmania Police's elite special operations group but there are no plans to roll them out to the rank and file.
Union acting president Gavin Cashion said police, who attend jobs alone, were actually given a directive not to use body cameras last month.
"It is a ridiculous situation when every member of the public has access to their mobile phone video camera and is free to use it in a public place," Detective Constable Cashion said.
"But Tasmania Police officers who are involved on a daily basis with interactions with dangerous, violent, drug-affected and unpredictable offenders are prohibited to use available technology by their own service."
Assistant Police Commissioner Richard Cowling said the service would continue to monitor how the cameras have worked interstate including the necessary legislative requirements and management of footage.
Any rollout would likely come with cumbersome privacy requirements regarding the handling of personal information.
In addition, the rollout could cost about $1 million based on $1000 a unit.
The union also wants onboard cameras in police cars, a request first made in 2004, pointing to comments by the service yesterday requesting dash cam footage from the public.
