It was hoped video would increase transparency in policing, but BBC has uncovered 150 reports of failings.
Why is it even possible to turn off or delete footage from these cameras? I would have thought they would be treated like black box recorders - always on, always recording, and only reviewed when absolutely necessary.
This is like a failure of both technology and policing culture.
Footage shouldn’t be deletable. However officers should be able to turn the cameras off and on (but it should be clear to those around them whether they are recording or not). Officers have to deal with victims and witnesses, many of whom may be afraid to talk or ask for help knowing they are being recorded. On a 12 hour shift they are also likely to need the ocassional bit of privacy to use the loo.
