Officers wearing body worn cameras in Fortitude Valley
US-headquartered law enforcement technology provider Axon has been selected again to provide and replace cameras in use by the Queensland Police Service (QPS).
In a new contract arrangement announced on 26 July, QPS said now all uniformed first respondents will have access to body worn cameras.
An initial 2,100 cameras had previously been provided with the total number now reaching 7,700.
The deal will see the replacement of 5,100 cameras made up of leased, purchased and personal property, according to a QPS spokesperson. The new cameras provide better quality and have updated software.
The Queensland Government have committed to $6 million over the next three years, which is helping fund this arrangement. According to QPS, each camera is worth approximately $500.
The spokesperson also told ARN the new technology is industry leading and gives immediate access to evidence, saves hours of hand-written work among other features.
“The clarity of real time footage can not only facilitate a quicker resolution to criminal investigations but also provides police officers and the public with confidence that evidence is being recorded without prejudice,” commissioner Katarina Carroll said.
The Queensland Police Service claims to be the first policing agency in the Asia Pacific to implement a body worn camera regime. The early adoption of technology plays a vital role in the way police operate on a daily basis.
“Body worn cameras have proven to be beneficial for police officers as they allow officers to improve their response in relation to threats against community safety," said minister for police and corrective services Mark Ryan.
“This increases transparency of QPS responses and ensures consistency in digital evidence handling procedures."
In March, the Western Australia Police awarded Axon a $18 million deal for 4,200 body cameras and an accompanying data storage service over a five-year period.
