The state's Auditor-General says more oversight is needed to uphold trust in the 10,000 body-worn cameras used by Victoria Police officers since the technology's introduction in 2018.
Victoria Police has pushed back at suggestions more oversight is needed around officers' use of body-worn cameras, after an audit warned trust in the force would be eroded without closer scrutiny of the footage.An Auditor-General audit highlighted the need for more transparency in the use of the technology
The report also found there was not enough tracking of officers' consistency and compliance in activating the cameras, saying the missing footage could weaken evidence in investigations and prosecutions, reduce transparency in complaint investigations, and lead to "reputational damage to Victoria Police".
"It's about giving them the flexibility to work out whether it is the most appropriate way to give evidence, there may be other more appropriate evidence that the police have used", she said.Police Minister Lisa Neville is defending Victoria Police's stance on body-worn cameras. Victoria Police said it had "clear guidelines and expectations" regarding when and where the cameras should be activated, as well as "mandatory reporting requirements if a camera is muted or stopped prematurely".
Speaking after meeting with Chief Commissioner Shane Patton, Premier Daniel Andrews said he would not describe the news of the missed recordings as a "failing", and the cameras made a valuable contribution."For safety, for confidence, but also to protect our police members".Police Association Victoria head Wayne Gatt said the statistics were "actually really good".
"Police out on the street, when they see something happening [and] suddenly have to rush to action to apprehend an offender, to engage in a full pursuit, to take action to defend themselves or others in the community", he said.The police union's Wayne Gatt says officers have to deal with unpredictable situations."It only makes sense you don't flick a switch and go from no body-worn cameras to an absolutely perfect outcome," Mr Andrews said.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Police arrest man in connection with alleged hit-and-run at FreelingA 28-year-old Waikerie man has been arrested after a serious crash at Freeling on Sunday.
Read more »
Two young kangaroo joeys seized by police in the Hunter ValleyPolice officers stopped a 27-year-old man on Hunter Road in the Hunter Valley on June 4 and seized two kangaroo joeys and firearms.
Read more »
Man who struck police horse and threw traffic bollard at officer during lockdown protest pleads guiltyDennis Basic's defence says he is 'embarrassed by his conduct', as he pleads guilty to several charges including assaulting an emergency worker, recklessly causing injury and animal cruelty.
Read more »
Melbourne protester admits assaulting two police officers and hitting horse in headDennis Basic pleads guilty in Victoria’s county court to 12 charges related to anti-lockdown rallies
Read more »
Inattention likely to blame for deadly Tasmanian holiday crash caught on police bodycamA coroner finds speed, weather and road conditions did not contribute a deadly crash that left three teenage children in the car orphaned last year.
Read more »
Police informant to give evidence in trial of William Tyrrell's foster motherA police informant will be called as a witness during a two-day court hearing for William Tyrrell's foster mother, who denies giving misleading or false information to the NSW Crime Commission.
Read more »