PETALING JAYA: The use of body-worn cameras (BWCs) by the police should be extended to lockups, says human rights organisation Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram).
Its executive director Sevan Doraisamy called for a timeline to test and roll out BWC use by personnel stationed in lockups, as well as by those involved in anti-crime operations.
“These high-stakes encounters require the greatest scrutiny, with BWCs being a critical tool for accountability,” he said when contacted on Friday (Dec 20).
Sevan said clear and standardised protocols are to be established for reviewing BWC footage in investigations and disciplinary proceedings.
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Citing instances of police interactions with protestors during demonstrations or shooting incidents while on duty, he said this can evoke varying interpretations depending on the observer's perspective.
“Inconsistent standards for evaluating such footage can further complicate the matter, leaving room for subjective judgments to influence outcomes,” he said.
He also said BWCs have the potential to enhance transparency and strengthen oversight of police misconduct.
This is provided they are implemented within a framework of robust accountability mechanisms, he added.
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“To ensure BWCs achieve their potential, the government must make their usage guidelines publicly available to foster trust and transparency.
“The guidelines should include mandatory activation policies, strict penalties for non-compliance, and clear protocols for data storage and review,” he said.
He also said the public should be allowed to record police actions, as long as they do not interfere with or obstruct law enforcement operations.
“This ensures an additional layer of transparency, enabling independent documentation of police conduct,” Sevan added.
On Tuesday (Dec 17), The Star reported that the police are finally being equipped with more than 7,000 BWCs after years of planning.
The implementation will be done nationwide in stages, with patrol and traffic units given priority, according to Bukit Aman’s Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department.
The full nationwide roll-out for all 7,648 BWCs will be completed by March.
They will be used by 157 district police headquarters and 640 stations.
