GMP rolls out 3,000 BWV cameras

More than 3,000 frontline police officers at Greater Manchester Police are to be issued with body-worn video (BWV) cameras under plans unveiled by Greater Manchester’s mayor and police and crime commissioner Tony Lloyd.

“This is about policing in the 21st century,” said Mr Lloyd. “BWV captures vital evidence when police are out on patrol; they make officers feel safer and – crucially – they improve the public’s confidence in police.

“The public supports this measure, the police want it, and the technology now makes it possible. It’s a no-brainer that we now go ahead and get them on the streets of Greater Manchester as quickly as possible.”

The cameras have been shown to increase protection for the public and police officers and reduce complaints. A College of Policing study found that 92 per cent of people support their use.

GMP has been trialling the cameras for more than two years, developing a policy for their appropriate use and ensuring that the right safeguards are in place to ensure that people’s privacy is protected and rights safeguarded.

Greater Manchester’s independent Ethics Committee also examined the ethical dimensions for their use and recommended they were introduced.

Studies have shown that where these cameras are used there are significant increases in early guilty pleas in court.