Police Scotland starts roll out of body-worn cameras

Police Scotland has started a national roll out of body-worn video cameras.

Over the next 18 months, 10,500 will be issued across the country to officers up to the rank of inspector, as well as some civilian members of staff.

About 750 officers in Tayside, including road policing officers and dog handlers, will be the first to get the technology.

The move will bring the national force into line with other UK police forces which have had the cameras as standard for many years.

The units were rolled out across England and Wales after being first trialled in Plymouth in 2006.

The force said the Motorola Solutions VB400 cameras will provide extra protection for officers and the public by recording evidence which can be used in court.

By autumn 2026, all frontline uniformed police officers will be expected to wear a video camera on their uniform while on duty.

They will have to activate it when using police powers, including while arresting a suspect or executing a search warrant.

The cameras will be introduced to the Highlands and Islands and north east in summer before they are rolled out in the east of the country in autumn.

Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell said the cameras would increase public confidence in the police and deliver safety benefits "by providing effective and transparent evidence of police and public interactions."

She added: "The technology will also improve the quality of evidence presented in court to deliver faster justice for victims by increasing early guilty pleas and reducing time spent at court for victims, witnesses and police officers.

"There is strong public and partner support for body-worn video in Scotland and we will continue to explain our use of this important technology including assurance around data privacy and human rights considerations."

David Threadgold, chair of the Scottish Police Federation which represents rank and file officers, said the roll-out was an "extremely positive" move.

"It has been an absolute priority for Police Scotland," he told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme.

"There have been delays with procurement but we're really focusing on the positive elements here and the benefits that will be achieved."

Mr Threadgold said the technology would change how the police and the public interact by improving transparency and accountability.

He said: "The public will see officers with a body-worn video unit attached to their body armour and there will be a message on the front that explains that it is a body-worn video camera.

"If the officer needs to switch it on, there will be a light that comes on and a short script will be read, if it's possible at the time, to make whoever is involved aware that they are now being recorded.

"That will have a number of really positive impacts on the ways that we can interact with the police."

Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: "I am very pleased that the Scottish government's record investment in Police Scotland is continuing to support the national roll out of body-worn video for officers and staff.

"Body-worn video can increase public confidence in policing and improve safety for police officers and staff.

"It can also benefit victims and witnesses of crime by allowing cases to be brought to court sooner."