Police get cameras to help problems

POLICE are to be equipped with portable cameras attached to their uniforms to protect officers and ensure they are not over-stepping the mark when dealing with the public.

Prime Minster Manuel Valles said around 1,500 of the devices had been tested over the past three years in high-risk policing areas, by armed and non-armed police officers, and he said they had been a “conclusive” success.

Addressing the inter-ministerial committee on equality and citizenship in Les Mureaux, Yvelines, Mr Valls said the cameras (cameras piéton) would be issued to beat officers to help them carry out front-line duties.

Live-recording images will mean that during an identity check, for example, a suspect being questioned will be able to ask for a copy, ensuring officers do their jobs correctly. It is hoped the presence of cameras will deter people from being provocative.

However, groups protesting at police stop and searches have said the cameras will protect officers only and not the public. Amadou Ka, of the Indivisibles, told L’Obs officers would be able to switch the cameras off, adding “logically they should be running all the time”.

Mr Valls said legislation specifying conditions of use and treatment of footage so as to guarantee privacy rights would be needed before the cameras could be introduced.

He said this was necessary because there is nothing in the law yet that covers the possibility of refusing to be recorded or details when and how the equipment may be used.