BT launches body worn video solution to help Police forces detect and combat crime
Wednesday, 14 November, 2007
BT has announced the launch of BT Body Worn Video - a solution designed to help detect and record crime, and improve police operational efficiency by capturing compelling evidence without impeding an officers' day to day activities.
The launch follows the announcement in July 2007 by police minister Tony McNulty of £3m funding to enable police forces to take advantage of the benefits of body worn video cameras.
BT Body Worn Video has a number of benefits for the police:
Helps improve conviction rates
Helps improve early guilty pleas, saving police and court time
Supports victims of domestic abuse, as courts can see the reaction of the offender at the time of police attendance, reinforcing the need for action
Provides an audit of how police behaved, that can be used for training and development purposes, and to negate malicious complaints.
Enables rapid acceptance of evidence in public order offences by solicitors and offenders, especially useful when the offender is unable to recall the incident due to drink or drugs.
BT's Body Worn Video solution is also designed to provide easy and secure use for police officers. It includes an automatic day / night camera, two-touch on / off switch (so it can't be accidentally turned off) and safety cables to protect officers.
BT Body Worn video consists of a small, head-mounted lightweight, high resolution camera. The images captured by the camera are stored on a high capacity, body worn, digital video recorder. Once back at the station the officer can easily transfer the recorded video to a PC.
BT is the exclusive UK and Ireland supplier of Cylon Body Worn Video, formally distributed by Audax. The system was used in a successful trial with Devon & Cornwall Police, the National Police Improvement Agency (NPIA) and the Home Office Scientific Development Branch.
The trial involved 300 police officers and resulted in a 7% increase in convictions; a 22% fall in the amount of officer time spent on paperwork and 50 additional minutes spent on patrol during each 9 hour shift.(*)
Chet Patel, CEO of BT Redcare, said: "BT Body Worn Video will really make a difference in helping police officers combat crime and increase public safety. Our launch of this solution is a further development of our strategy of providing police forces and their partners with a complete portfolio of secure monitoring solutions, backed by BT's world class service and support."
