Kolkata: In a move that could revolutionise policing in the West Bengal capital, the detective department of the Kolkata Police is all set to procure body cameras for use in conducting the raids and recording the crime scenes.
The Lal Bazar police is expected to procure around 100 body cameras for its personnel posted in the detective branch.
Officials say the body cameras will not only help in recording the raids but will also help in recording the statements of witnesses and suspects in the case leading to better analysis and investigation. The recording would be invaluable in any investigation as the police use 3D technology in mapping the crime scenes.
“These cameras would be of immense use in cases like homicide, anti-robbery and anti-snatching. This will also help the department in assessing how a particular officer is probing the case, ” said a police officer. Other police officers believe the technology will help in curbing the “excesses” of the police in some cases.
“We hear allegations of police excesses during raids at places like bars, illegal call centres. With body cameras in place, we would be able to find the truth,” said another officer.
The Kolkata Police will soon impart training to the cops of the detective branch to operate the cameras. The policemen have been ordered to fix the cameras on their uniform during the duty and switch it every time they are conducting a raid or interrogating a person.
Source/Reference – https://www.timesnownews.com/mirror-now/in-focus/article/kolkata-police-go-hi-tech-to-get-body-cameras-to-record-crime-scene-and-statements/513744