The Tribune

By Leandra Rolle

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Ministry of National Security signed a million-dollar contract with AE Tactical yesterday for body worn and dash cameras, which are expected to be used by police officers this year.

Valued at $1,153,275, the contract will allow for 400 body worn and dash cameras to be issued to police officers, a police official said.

Speaking at yesterday’s contract signing, National Security Minister Marvin Dames said as a result of the new technology, members of the public will be able to see greater levels of transparency in law enforcement agencies.

“This signing today is important because it demonstrates to the Bahamian people that we’re serious about what it is we’re saying,” he said.

“So, when we say we want to bring about a higher level of transparency, a higher level of professionalism within our law enforcement agencies and we want the entire Bahamas to see.

“If an incident has happened, the Bahamas can see because that is recorded and the commissioner has been pushing for this, he and his senior team and as a government, we’ve committed it prior to coming into office and we’re now working and living up to our commitments.”

His comments came amid public outcry alleging police brutality in the country. Several videos circulated online earlier this month showed a number of police officers hitting civilians with batons at the New Year’s Day Junkanoo Parade.

In response to the videos, many Bahamians took to social media, accusing the officers of abusing the rights of citizens.

With the new technology, Mr Dames said that officers will be placed under “greater scrutiny unlike ever before”, suggesting that the body-wear will also seek to dispel fears that officers are abusing their rights.

“So, this now calls for the highest level of professionalism and how officers approach members of the public and how they utilise their weapons and the tools that are given to them and how they use their vehicles,” he added.

“All of these things will be put under tremendous scrutiny, unlike ever before but this is what we promised...body-worn cameras are an effective law enforcement tool that can reduce violent confrontation and malicious complaints.

“It will be an important tool for collecting evidence and obtaining the public’s trust.”

Meanwhile, Luke Hadeed of AE Tactical, the body cam supplier, added: “Many of us are aware of the challenges facing police officers and policing in general in today’s world, but with such a critical piece of technology, it is inevitable that it must come to the shores of the Bahamas.

“…It’s one of the largest deployments of body-worn cameras in the region presently and it’s a massive step for the Royal Bahamas Police Force and by extension, the Ministry of National Security on embarking on this programme.”

Asked when the cameras will be put to use in the force, Mr Dames said officials are aiming for some time in the first quarter of this year. He said officers will have to be trained in the use of the cameras.