Plans to make Norfolk Police's body-worn footage more accessible takes step forwards
Norfolk's Federation say the current footage available online is "selective" and "one-sided".
Last updated 24th Aug 2021
People in Norfolk could soon have more access to the police's body-worn camera footage, after new guidelines were given the green light by the Norfolk Police Federation.
This has been triggered by fears that selective and one-sided footage of the police could damage public confidence in the office and the criminal justice processes.
The Chairman of the Norfolk Police Federation, Andy Symonds says plans to implement these new proposals are currently being "looked at and discussed" by Norfolk's Chief Constable Paul Sanford and Police and Crime Commissioner, Giles Orpen-Smellie.
Mr Symonds told us that the new guidelines will likely be implemented in "the next few months".
He said he has dealt with many officers who are "frustrated" that what's put online "isn't the truth". He says it's important that "we get the context out there" and that this footage is used in courts so that judges and magistrates are able to make an "informed decision".
However, he warns that releasing the footage in isolation won't fix all the problems and that officers need to be able to "explain what's going on" in the released footage.
Mr Symonds says there's "nothing more dangerous" than letting the public believe that the Norfolk Constabulary are regularly using "excessive force".