Bodycams will be helpful to both cops and public, says Lam Thye

KUALA LUMPUR: The use of body-worn cameras (BWCs) will be mutually beneficial to the police force as well as the public, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.

The Alliance for a Safe Community chairman said the cameras will be able to record interactions between police personnel and the public.

"In doing so, it could prevent any wrongdoing by the police personnel.

"At the same time, it will also record public misdemeanours such as in the event that they turn violent or become verbally abusive towards the police.

"The cameras will give a true picture of what actually happened," he said when contacted on Thursday (Feb 1).

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He was commenting on a report that the police would receive more than 7,000 BWCs in stages, starting from September.

Lee said the cameras could also prevent any slander or unwarranted criticism against the police.

"It is useful and relevant. It will also have a positive impact (on) relations between the police and society," he added.

Lee said the use of BWCs was timely and in line with modernising the police force.

"It was announced that police would be getting BWCs quite some time ago, so I am glad that it is finally happening," he said.

He stressed that police personnel using the BWCs must be fully briefed on and trained in their usage for maximum effectiveness.

"The standard operating procedure (SOP) must be made known (to them) as well."

It was reported that a total of 7,648 BWCs would be supplied to the police force in stages from September, according to Bukit Aman Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department director Comm Datuk Wan Hassan Wan Ahmad.

He said an acceptance letter was issued by the Home Ministry on Tuesday (Jan 30) involving the supply of BWCs.

"The BWC will mainly be used by personnel in mobile patrol vehicles and motorcycle patrol units.

"It will also be supplied to the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department," he had said.