TRAINING
Project Leader - Superintendent Graham Hall Project Manager Inspector Simon Orton Project Manager Sergeant Karl Brown Bishop Hub Super User Steve Callaghan
Initial impressions and thoughts are Sounds good and it will help me with my job.. Or.. I m not using mine. It s completely pointless and it s just another way for the job to catch you out and sack you..
Helped with my investigation.. Recorded extensive damage caused at an incident that needed to be repaired prior to CSI attending the following day. Evidence would have been lost. Used in an arrest where the suspect made several significant statements. Used at an incident where the complainant is known to make unfounded and spurious allegations against attending officers at professional standard and IPCC level. No complaints made due to awareness of BWV camera. Camera used at a domestic violence incident where the high risk victim historically retracts or makes no complaint which resulted in a victimless prosecution. Used effectively when arresting a suspect who made malicious complaints in custody that their injuries were a result of the arresting officers assaulting them and that the officers also sexually assaulted their partner. Complaint retract immediately once aware of footage.
Identified previous failings were :- Poor equipment prone to breaking down Complicated software to copy and view footage The process for using the footage was overly complicated Cameras were not personal issue so no ownership or care cameras became broken or lost Very expensive cameras ranging from 150 to 500 per unit Lack of training or trained staff to help using officers
Cameras to be made personal issue Software is easier to use Process for using footage has been streamlined Cameras are robust coming from Extreme sports background Super User at each Hub Champions identified on each team Cheaper to replace if lost or damaged ( 38)
Do.. Use camera to obtain initial best evidence but not to replace current ABE practices or CSI Consider using camera at every incident and all officers should record if necessary (don t just leave it to one officer) For on-going / spontaneous incidents switch on prior to arriving at scene. Get into the habit of turning your camera on prior to attending the scene If the camera is linked to a crime and the footage is to be used as hearsay for a rolling incident, then officer will need to complete duty statement before going off duty Let the person(s) know that you are recording if practicable to do so at the time
Do not Don t leave the office without it and make sure its fully charged! (only takes 60 minutes to full charge) Make sure that any previous footage has been removed. (Don t) Use your camera for any sexual offences Incident Don t use your camera covertly i.e. by not informing a serial complainer that your recording the conversation (Don t) use your BWV camera in a none Police related manner and make sure you maintain your professional standards
The custody Sergeant will need to be informed that BWV is available and officers need to be aware of disclosure procedures. Some footage will need to be treat like DNA. Custody Sergeants are also having an input and will be aware that BWV footage may be available
PHT SCT PCT & SAFEGUARDING are all getting awareness training regarding what YOU will be expected to do at the scene They will be training regarding the retrieval of the footage you upload to the server Misc 105 has been amended to cater for BWV footage that comes with a package
The guidance from the DPP is clear that from the outset in DV cases the police and CPS should be seeking to build a case, and should consider if it is possible to proceed without a statement or evidence from the victim, thus CCTV, admissions by the defendant and 999tapes are all relevant and would always be considered by the prosecutor should a victim withdraw or be unwilling to provide a statement. In the case mentioned below I would have expected the prosecutor to have been made aware of the camera evidence and consider it s relevance before discontinuing. In Cleveland we strive to be proactive in prosecuting DV, and will consider victimless prosecutions, as well as the request for witness summons should the victim withdraw, and eventually the need for a warrant, but the latter two must be regarded as a last resort and the guidance issued be adhered to. In a recent case we were successful in obtaining a conviction where the victim gave contradictory evidence to her statement, corroborating the accused s account in interview. This was done by obtaining leave to treat her as hostile and introducing her original statement, photos of injuries and the 999 call. Evidence on camera containing an account of the victim becomes hearsay if she does not give a statement, and does not attend Court. In order for that hearsay to be admissible, every effort must be made to ensure the victims attendance at Court, and this can sometimes be the stumbling block. At no time should anyone tell the victim that she need not come to Court if she gives an account on camera as this would make it almost impossible to introduce the camera evidence as hearsay. Vicky Wilson Lawyer
Incorporate your BWV activation as a course of events during your duty statement If used after the incident has taken place then an additional statement or PNB would suffice The footage that you upload to the server (onto PhotoWeb) is the original. Any working copies will need to be placed into ERP for continuity
We have buy in from judges and CPS to say they WILL use this evidence to support victimless prosecutions and retracted cases. The Magistrates and Judges are to receive awareness training about what to expect and not to expect Ellie Lear Statement.
If the incident you are attending is on-going, switch on your camera whilst on route to avoid any lost evidence. When speaking to the victim investigate the incident as per protocol asking relevant questions such as, what happened? Who was responsible? Who has caused the injury/damage? Where is the blood from? There are obviously no set questions you need to ask but you have a requirement to ascertain what has occurred. If footage has been obtained from a victim then the officer that is taking the statement (if different) will need to be aware of what s been disclosed. This can be done by having a handover for continuity purposes similar to when a SOLO is called out to an incident.
If an assault has occurred and the victim and the suspect are at the same address, leave your cameras running up until the suspect is taken to custody. Helps maintain continuity and protects attending officers from malicious complaints. On initial attendance try and avoid asking the victim they are will to make a complaint or if they are willing to go to court. There is no benefit for the investigation if this is caught on camera and can be harmful to the investigation at a later date. Also try and avoid going into too much detail about historic abuse or venturing into an interview. Remember this is to be covered in a statement or ABE interview. The camera footage does not replace both.
To start FotoWeb click onto Favourites Click onto the FotoWeb Bodycam link which starts the program Then click onto the Ok button in the middle of the screen
The next step is to click onto Archives then scroll down to Videos and click the tab.
In the search bar in the top left insert the BWV reference number which is usually the DHM incident number