In a first for Northern Ireland, officers have started using digital body worn camera technology to help them film incidents they attend.
It will record what an officer sees, hears and says, as well as providing additional prosecution evidence, if required.

Welcoming the scheme Lisburn Area Commander, Chief Inspector David Moore explained: "This new technology will be used to deter criminality, gather evidence, provide corroboration and show openness and accountability."

The equipment consists of two small colour cameras, one of which has infrared technology, which are worn openly by uniformed officers and are
linked to a portable hard drive.

The camera records audio and visual footage, which can be used to show what an officer is seeing and doing at the scene of an incident. It records the actions of people involved in incidents and captures the scene at the time and any damage that may have been caused or injuries sustained.

Chief Inspector Moore said that by wearing the cameras, it is hoped to deter people from committing crime in the first place but will also be an effective tool to bring the scene of an incident into the courtroom.
He said courts will be able see and hear the incident through the eyes and ears of the officer at the scene to help provide an accurate account of the actions of the accused.

An officer in all eight response vehicles in Lisburn will be equipped with the camera which is expected to be particularly useful in domestic violence incidents, road traffic collisions as well as animal cruelty cases, planned searches, paramilitary related incidents and youth related incidents.

Mr Moore said he hoped it will also reduce attacks on police, which had gone up by a third in the last year.

The Neighbourhood team in Dunmurry and Lisburn will be the first to use the cameras, this week, while the rest will be rolled out in the district in time.

"Cameras significantly improve the quality of evidence captured by police officers, which helps to bring more offenders to justice and in turn to reduce crime," said Mr Moore. "Studies have already indicated that when shown evidence of their behaviour, offenders are more likely to plead guilty rather than contest their cases in court."

Chief Inspector Moore continued: "The use of this type of technology within the Police Service is not new. However, we believe it will have a significant impact on how the Police Service are able to deal with crime and the fear of crime.

"The camera footage means that offenders have less opportunity to deny their involvement, leading to less paperwork for the police, earlier guilty pleas, less time spent in court and an increase in convictions."
Mr Moore went onto reassure the public that they have to follow strict protocols and guidelines governing the use of the cameras and any video image.

"I want to reassure the public we are not walking CCTV cameras," he stressed.

Lagan Valley MLA and Policing Board member Basil McCrea supported the introduction of 'body-cams'.
Mr. McCrea said, "I am delighted that police officers in Lisburn will be able to use this innovative and forward-thinking technology.
"The 'body-cam' is a valuable, additional device in the fight against crime and anti-social behaviour. I believe their use will ensure that those who are guilty of crime and antisocial behaviour do not escape the consequences. The 'body-cam' is one way I believe we can make our communities safer and justice speedier."