SHAH ALAM – The move for procurement of body cameras to be used by police personnel has long been overdue as it is seen as a bid to promote integrity among personnel, experts say.
Alliance For a Safe Community Chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye lauded the move announced by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail yesterday which saw RM30 million allocated for the procurement of body cameras for police personnel.
"This is something long overdue as body cameras are used by the police from many parts of the world.
"The idea of body camera is to help ensure the integrity of the police force when they interact with the public, these body cameras will help to take pictures and record the conversations.
"So, if there is any form of corruption, it will be recorded," he said.
He also said that so far, the newly-formed unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim showed that it was serious in combatting corrupt practises.
"The new unity government are serious since the prime minister always talks about fighting corruption and zero tolerance.
"He implements what he says. I hope this will be one way to help realise the government pledge in fighting corruption," he said.
Meanwhile, former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Musa Hassan also praised government’s move which he deemed was a step to reduce any space for corrupt activities.
Musa stressed that the use of body cameras had been suggested even during his term as an IGP but the process was halted due to insufficient budget from the government.
"The problem is that when the police want to acquire such technology the reason given is that the (then) government does not have enough budget.
"The police has been very serious in combatting corruption and corrupt activities even before this," he stressed.
When asked about the benefits of the police force using body cameras, Musa said it would protect the personnel from allegations such as corruption, abuse of the law and other possible violent actions.
"The body camera’s footage can be used as evidence in court, it can also show the behaviour of the accused when being inspected by the police.
"The police will have to take action according to the procedures of the law as any act will be recorded in the body camera
"It will also protect both sides - the police and the public from wild allegations and abuse of law," he explained.
Also echoing Lee and Musa’s views were IGP Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani who said that the usage of body cameras would strengthen the level of integrity and professionalism among his men.
"The police welcomes the government's steps to speed up the acquisition of body cameras for the use of members of motor patrol units (URB) and multi-purpose vehicles (MPV) for enforcement purposes.
"Police is confident that the use of body cameras will strengthen the level of integrity, professionalism and transparency when dealing, also in protecting the interest of all parties.
"The use of body cameras will be used as much as possible in our efforts to ensure the best quality of service to the public," he said.
Yesterday, Saifuddin said that the procurement of the body camera project was in progress and he hoped that it could be expedited as it was a necessity at the current time.
Aside from the police, the Health Ministry (MOH) had also introduced the use of body cameras for its enforcement officers in a bid to ensure their safety and uphold transparency while on duty.