Rotherham police officers welcome new "body-worn" which roll as they patrol

We were given-up a close-up view this week of the innovative technology, which will be used to capture evidence, reduce malicious complaints and help protect frontline staff from physical attacks. 

Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Billings said he was “happy to support” the £1.2 million introduction of the “BWV” (body-worn video) cameras, which he said was “one of the biggest things to happen to South Yorkshire Police for many years”. 

He said the £600 cameras would be “crucial” for the force to keep their own professional behaviour in check.

Chief Supt Rob Odell revealed 300 officers had already undergone a one-day training session on how to use the equipment, which were officially launched on Wednesday. 

He said: “The tamper proof cameras are very visible and simple to use.

“A number of our officers in Rotherham are already wearing them, so we wanted to officially announce the news so the public knows what’s going on.

“We have received great support and enthusiasm from our staff and these cameras will also help increase our transparency across the force.”

PC Sam Howson (27, pictured) is one of the officers in Rotherham already equipped with a BWV camera.

She is part of the borough’s Group A Response Team who respond to 999 calls and said people had noticed straight away how she was equipped and asked questions about the new kit.

“The cameras give us more safety within our jobs and help capture the best evidence,” PC Howson added. 

PC Howson said she had also seen a positive change in the public perception of police officers.

She related how, while out on a call in Munsbrough a few weeks back, a man had been shouting at her when she first reached the scene but late apologised for his behaviour.

“I believe this man apologised to me because I was wearing a body worn camera,” PC Howson said. 

Firearms officers were the first to be issued with the technology — which has been in force for the last year.

Mr Odell said the vast majority of officers in Rotherham had now been equipped with the cameras, with The remaining police officers and PCSOs in expected to join them in the next few weeks.

The full deployment of BWV cameras across South Yorkshire Police is set to be completed by the end of the year — with 1,250 cameras set to be in use across the force.