After Traffic Police, Bengaluru Cops To Use Body-Worn Cameras

The Bengaluru Police is all set to perform their duties with body-worn cameras. It may be weird but the initiative has been taken by City Police Commissioner B Dayananda in order to maintain transparency in the police department and reduce corruption.

Police Commissioner B Dayananda said 111 police inspectors of the law and order department would be trained and one body camera would be distributed to each by next week.

Reportedly, police inspectors are mandated to wear body-worn cameras in public places, especially in crowded areas, bus stops, and markets. Even the police officers on the night shifts should use the cameras as directed by the Commissioner.

However, they may not avoid using cameras while arresting an accused or during interrogations in criminal cases. According to a senior police officer, the Police Commissioner has prepared this guideline to reduce corruption and improve the behaviour of the inspectors. This might help in developing a people-friendly environment with the police.

He further stated that in this phase 111 people will be provided and in the next phase few more cameras will e provided to police inspectors.

Earlier, these body-worn cameras were provided to Bengaluru Traffic Police to avoid unnecessary verbal conflicts with commuters. A few days ago 482 cameras were given to 242 Hoysala police personnel after several instances where people had alleged misbehaviour by a few policemen in the city.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai distributed body-worn cameras to police personnel for better traffic management as well as a new beat system for the traffic police.