JOHOR BARU: In a bid to enhance transparency and accountability, the Johor police were equipped with 952 body-worn cameras (BWCs) on Dec 11.
The first batch of cameras were distributed to frontliners including Mobile Patrol Vehicles (MPVs) personnel, the Motorcycle Patrol Unit (URB) officers and Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department members at both the contingent and district police headquarters.
Johor police chief Datuk M. Kumar said the BWCs will transform law enforcement practices and boost public trust.
"The cameras will document officers' daily assignments and incidents. This will enhance transparency," he said at state police monthly assembly held at its contingent headquarters here today.
He said most importantly, the BWCs' footages will also provide accurate and reliable evidence for court proceedings, strengthening the judicial process.
He added by capturing interactions and incidents in real time, the cameras serve as an impartial witness, ensuring fairness and countering false allegations against police officers.
Earlier, the 'News Straits Times' quoted Bukit Aman Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department director Datuk Wan Hassan Wan Ahmad as saying that the force will be equipped with 7,648 BWCs in stages from September this year until February next year.