As part of measures to address concerns about police misconduct, including extortion and brutality, the Minister of Interior-designate, Mohammed-Mubarak Muntaka, during his vetting, vowed to introduce body cameras for officers to ensure transparency and accountability in law enforcement.
He disclosed that the Ghana Police Service will receive 30,800 body cameras for enhanced security monitoring. This is to top up the 800 body cameras the service already has.
“We must ensure strict adherence to the use of body cameras to foil harassment and abuse of civilians by security personnel on our roads to take away all the ambiguity and the troubles,” he said.
Section 51(1) of the Police Service Act, 1970 (Act 350) states that “It shall be the duty of the police to prevent and detect crime, apprehend offenders, and maintain public law, order, and safety of persons and property.”
Constitutionally, the police perform several obligations, including police station operations, patrolling, traffic control, crime prevention and control, intelligence gathering, forensic analysis, research and development, and general and technical functions.
Some of the regular responsibilities of the mandate are to institute criminal charges; invite, arrest, and/or detain suspects (with or without a warrant or trial) in police custody for not more than 48 hours.
In addition to that, bring the suspect before a court of competent jurisdiction per Article 14(3) of the 1992 Constitution.
While many believe the procurement of some 30,800 body cameras for the police service is a step in the right direction, GhanaWeb explores their usage and benefits in this article.
Body cameras are small devices worn on the body, especially on the chest or head. Police body cameras are small-lensed devices, often worn on an officer’s chest. The main use is to record interactions between the police officer and the public.
The recordings serve as valuable footage for investigations and as evidence in criminal cases. This ensures transparency and accountability in their field of work.
Additionally, the use of body cameras by police officers will enhance customer service, and civilians will feel safer with them.
The mantra, “The police is your friend,” will resonate well with the public and gradually erase all negative perceptions about the police service through such initiatives.
The safety and security of the officers are equally paramount, as the body cameras will capture scenes, and when the need for help arises, the officer can be rescued from any harm while carrying out his or her duties.
It is important to note that the use of body cameras is not limited to the Ghana Police Service. Other security agencies, including the fire service and those in emergency response units such as paramedics, can wear body cameras to document emergency responses and provide critical information for training and review.
The same applies to individuals in the healthcare sector, journalism, and other fields.
Individuals who feel unsafe in an environment can wear body cameras for security, as the cameras capture their activities and whereabouts.
Your safety is paramount, so be on the lookout while out there or embarking on your daily activities.
Source: www.ghanaweb.com
