The Lagos State Government has officially announced the deployment of body-worn cameras for law enforcement agencies within the state.
Lagos State says that adopting the technology to promote transparency and accountability of law enforcement officials in the execution of their duties.
The introduction of body-worn cameras was unveiled during a tour and public demonstration led by Barrister Abiola Adeyinka, Head of Lagos State Law Enforcement Training Institute (LETI), at an event held on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 in Ikeja.
The purpose of the tour, Adeyinka says, was to educate and showcase the functionality of the cameras in the Ikeja and Alausa areas of Lagos State. The adoption of the cameras is to improve transparency, aid in investigations, ensure accountability, provide crucial evidence during inquiries, deter criminal activities, and uphold the ethical conduct of law enforcement officers.
How body-worn cameras work
Body-worn cameras, also referred to as bodycams, body-worn video devices, or wearable cameras, are portable wearable audio, video, or photographic recording systems. Typically worn on an officer’s uniform or helmet, these cameras are used by officers to document their daily activities and gather evidence at law enforcement scenes.
Moreover, the footage captured by these cameras can help prevent and resolve contentious complaints lodged by members of the public, as well as enhance police transparency, efficiency, and responsibility. The irrefutable audio and visual records obtained through these devices play a crucial role in preserving evidence during criminal incidents, police-citizen interactions, or instances of the use of force.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESCO), and the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps participated in the public demonstration of body-worn cameras by LETI.
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