Body-worn video rollout facing delay

The Scottish Police Federation is calling for ‘clarity’ over the implementation of the technology

By Gemma Fraser
Head of Content

The rollout of body-worn video cameras for Scottish police officers could be delayed by several months, it has emerged.

Chief Constable Jo Farrell announced last year that the force would begin the process of introducing the technology this summer.

However, 1919 has learned from sources that the rollout may delayed until the end of this year at the earliest.

Police Scotland awarded the £13.3 million contract to deliver 10,500 cameras over the next three years to Motorola Solutions, which follows a commitment from the SNP government made during the leadership contest won by former first minister Humza Yousaf.

It is understood that the process of bridging the body-worn video camera technology with existing digital capabilities is the reason behind the delay.

Police Scotland declined to comment specifically when asked whether the project rollout could be delayed, or confirm the start date.

But Farrell told the Scottish Police Authority it would be “as soon as possible”.

She said: “We’ve now outlined a national contract to implement body worn video for over 10,000 frontline officers and staff across Scotland, over the next three years.

“Motorola Solutions was awarded the contract on the basis of quality and value for money and a range of technical requirements.

“The new system is anticipated to work smoothly in areas with lower quality network connections, including rural locations, and we are also investing in our network capability to support this.

“Body-worn video can help to de-escalate incidents, improve public trust in policing and reduce complaints, support officer and staff safety, and bring wider benefits to the criminal justice system and I have been clear a national rollout is a priority for me.

“We know there is strong public and partner support for body worn video in Scotland and we will continue to explain policing’s use of this important technology, including assurance around data privacy and human rights considerations.

“The national rollout of body-worn video is a complex programme of work.

“Appointing a supplier is an important step and we are working with Motorola Solutions to ensure that body-worn video is embedded effectively for frontline officers and staff as soon as possible and we’ll continue to share details as progress is made.”

Body-worn cameras were a key recommendation of former lord advocate Dame Elish Angiolini’s review of policing complaints, which was published in 2020.

“The national rollout of body-worn video is a complex programme of work”

Chief Constable Jo Farrell

The Scottish Government has also made plain its desire to see officers equipped with the technology.

Ahead of his victory in the SNP leadership race last year, Humza Yousaf pledged to “speed up the rollout of body-worn cameras”.

Although he has since departed that role, the government said it “welcomed” Police Scotland’s efforts to bring them in.

Farrell made the rollout of the cameras a key priority of her leadership when she became chief constable last year.

The commitment was welcomed by the Scottish Police Federation (SPF) which has been advocating for their introduction.

David Threadgold, chair of the SPF, said if there is a delay to the implementation of body-worn cameras, police officers need to be told why.

He said: “What we are looking for from the service is clarity as to when this essential equipment will start to be utilised by police officers across Scotland and an explanation as to why any delay to the initial timeframe given by the chief constable now exists.

“The benefits of body-worn video are clear – reduced police assaults, reduced complaints against the police, efficiencies within the criminal justice service, expediting of misconduct processes, changing the behaviours of the public and police officers when they interact in a positive way, and being a large part of the process to assist in changing the culture of the organisation.

“We want to start to realise these benefits now and if there is to be a delay, police officers in Scotland need to know and understand why so they can retain the faith in body-worn video as a product that will aid them in their duties.”

Scottish Conservative justice spokesperson Russell Findlay MSP said: “Scotland’s police officers have been left behind and deprived of this vital protective kit for far too long because of SNP cuts and their neglect of policing.

“The justice secretary must explain any further delays to the long overdue delivery of body-worn cameras.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Chief Constable has made very clear that the national introduction of body-worn video is a priority for Police Scotland, and we welcomed the announcement earlier this month that the contract to implement it has been awarded.

“The Chief Constable provided an update to the SPA board on 27 June highlighting the complexity of the project and committing to work at pace with Motorola Solutions to ensure that it is embedded effectively for frontline officers and staff as soon as possible.

“She committed to sharing further details on rollout with the SPA board as progress is made.”