KUALA LUMPUR: All frontline police personnel and officers throughout Malaysia have now begun wearing body-worn cameras (BWC) as Bukit Aman step up a gear in the fight against misconduct, corruption and abuse of power.
These involved frontliners from the Mobile Patrol Vehicle and Motorcycle Patrol Unit of the Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department (JPJKK) and the Tourist Police Unit.
Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri, who is the Bukit Aman JPJKK director, said the usage of these body cameras will limit the opportunity for misconduct, while further enhancing discipline and professionalism during duty.
ALSO READ: Expert: Set proper rules, protocols for body cameras
“Officers have largely welcomed and supported the use of these devices during their field duties as the cameras are able to record all activities and actions.
“The public has also responded positively to the initiative, citing greater transparency in police actions, clearer clarification in cases of disputes or misunderstandings, improved discipline and professionalism among officers, better-controlled two-way interactions, and protection for both police personnel and members of the public,” he told The Star.
The roll-out of the BWC began in October 2024 with 7,648 body cameras deployed to all state police contingent and formations.
“The cameras were distributed in stages. Now, all state police contingents are equipped with the device,” Comm Mohd Yusri said.
ALSO READ: More than 4,000 cops on CNY patrol duty
This means that all the 6,449 personnel in the patrol units under JPJKK now have BWCs.
Prior to this, the wearing of the body cameras in lock-ups was enforced on Aug 22 last year.
Since the use of the BWC, Comm Mohd Yusri said there had been a significant reduction in cases of misconduct involving frontline personnel.
“It has proven to be highly effective. It has successfully reduced cases of misconduct, including corruption and abuse of power among the patrolling units.”
“This is because every action and interaction with the public is recorded. This situation has encouraged officers to comply with established procedures and instructions,” he said.
Overall, Comm Mohd Yusri expressed hope that the use of these body cameras would serve as a catalyst for a work culture that is based on integrity, accountability and public service orientation.
He said the cameras not only help prevent and reduce misconduct but also increase the public’s sense of safety.
“I also hope that with body cameras embedded on police uniforms, it will further enhance cooperation and relations between the public and the police, as every action is recorded,” he said.
He explained that BWC recordings can be used as court evidence in criminal cases, including cases where officers are falsely accused while carrying out enforcement duties.
Comm Mohd Yusri cited a case in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 11, 2024 when someone hurled abusive words at traffic personnel during an inspection and attempted to flee a roadblock.
A police report was lodged with BWC footage used as evidence. The culprit was later fined RM100 under the Minor Offences Act.
The standard operating procedure (SOP) on the use of BWCs came into force on Feb 7 last year under the Inspector-General of Police Directive No. 200, while the wearing of BWCs in lock-ups was enforced on Aug 22, 2025, under Directive No. 209.
“Personnel who fail to comply with the SOP may face action under the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulations 1993,” he said.
The BWC roll-out began on Oct 15, 2024 with Kuala Lumpur and Selangor police contingents receiving the devices, followed by Perlis on Nov 15 and Johor on Dec 10 of the same year.
The rest of the states received the cameras in stages since last year.
Comm Mohd Yusri said that Selangor received the largest number of BWCs with 1,328 units distributed, followed by Perak (968) and Johor (952).
He said that the police force are hoping to receive an additional 10,000 body cameras under the 13th Malaysia Plan.
“The additional cameras would have improved specifications, including longer battery life. This has been identified as key criteria for the next procurement phase,” he added.
Generally, he said that feedback from personnel indicated that the device is easy to operate and user-friendly.
