Enforcement officers to wear body cams

Recently, Three Rivers District councillors sitting on the Policy and Resources Committee approved for the council’s environmental enforcement officers, animal welfare and licencing inspectors and its grounds staff to use body cams that will be attached to the chest and record video and audio.

The cameras are to be used as evidence in criminal or civil proceedings and to prevent physical and verbal abuse toward officers. It will record everything said to ensure officers are following the correct procedures.

Those recorded will be told that they are being recorded and given a card that explains the use of the body worn cameras.

Cllr Sarah Nelmes, Lead Member for General Public Services, said: “Enforcement officers and grounds team carry out vital work that ensures our district is clean and green, so their safety is extremely important.

“I am pleased that they will be provided with body worn cameras to support their work in prosecuting those who have no respect for our local area and keep them safe when confronting potential offenders.”

Any information captured and used in evidence as part of prosecutions will be kept for six years from the completion of any judicial process. Any material not used or required will be automatically erased after 28 days.

Any request by a member of the public to view captured video must be made in writing to Three Rivers District Council in line with the ‘subject access procedure’. Evidence of identity before viewing must also be provided.

The body worn camera procedures can be viewed here.