Body cameras

Ambulance service consults principle use of body worn cameras for staff 

Barbour EHS

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service Health and Social Care Trust (NIAS) is consulting on the principle of the use of body worn video cameras for staff (for violence prevention and reduction purposes). 

In 2020/2021, a total of 629 incidents of violence and aggression were recorded against NIAS staff. Over the past year, its Violence Prevention and Reduction Group has been developing a supporting strategy to provide the Trust with a range of specific projects and reviews which have identified a number of key actions that will help drive change. 

As part of the Trust’s response to these attacks, it is considering the introduction of Body Worn Video (BWV) for staff, subject to rigorous staff training, strict protocol of usage and storage of information, and as part of a broader ongoing campaign – including media and awareness-raising. Unfortunately, despite efforts to curb violence and aggression against NIAS staff, incidents have continued to increase.  

The initial consultation process is designed to examine the principle of BWV being introduced to NIAS. Subject to positive consultation engagement, a second consultation exercise will be undertaken in 2022 that fully considers the detail of factors like deployment, usage, governance, policy and procedure.

The consultation closes on 14 February 2022.

For more information on the consultation, click here.

To read more from SHP on body cameras, click here.

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