By Alesha Capone
Police in Wyndham and Hobsons Bay will start wearing body cameras from next week.
A body camera, worn on a police officer’s uniform, is used to record video and audio footage.
From next week, police on general duties and Highway Patrol officers, of the rank of sergeant and below, will wear the cameras while working in Wyndham and Hobsons Bay.
Wyndham and Hobsons Bay includes the Altona North, Williamstown, Werribee and Wyndham North police stations.
Victoria Police said they would start rolling out 11,000 body cameras to officers by next year, with the Wyndham and Hobsons Bay areas to be among the next municipalities to receive the equipment.
Assistant Commissioner Russell Barrett said the body cameras would boost police capabilities in the west.
“The introduction of body worn cameras is expected to deliver improved community safety, enhanced evidence gathering, increased police safety and accountability,” he said.
“The initial pilot we conducted in April 2018 showed us that camera usage policies, infrastructure and training for police had worked well and police were comfortable using the technology within their first one or two shifts.
“Given the pleasing results of their function along with the overwhelmingly positive feedback from the community, we are in the process of rolling the cameras out to more officers.
AC Barrett said officers would undertake regular training which includes the use and functions of the body camera.
