Kolkata police reminded to follow body camera sop after bansdroni incident

Kolkata: Lalbazar has once again instructed traffic police officers and all police stations to properly use body cameras. Additionally, the force has been reminded of the ten-point Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) created by Kolkata Police last year regarding the use of body cameras.According to sources, Manoj Verma, the city police commissioner, held a meeting recently with traffic police officials where he emphasised the correct use of body cameras. The immediate reason for Commissioner Verma to remind his men of this SOP was the recent incident at Bansdroni, where the local police station ASI—now closed until the departmental enquiry is over—did not carry his body camera amidst allegations that he slapped an app-biker who said he could not share his original bike documents as he was carrying them in his Digi-locker. The incident was recorded on video by the motorcyclist and spread on social media, leading to the officer being closed by Lalbazar.Lalbazar officials believe that if the camera had been present, it would have provided clarity on what happened before and after the incident. Lalbazar stated that when such allegations arise against police officers, video recordings from body cameras are useful in determining the truth. Therefore, police officers have been reminded once again of the SOP for video recording during law enforcement duties or while issuing traffic fines.The SOP has asked all cops to switch on body cameras during "public interactions," and traffic guards have been asked to keep all body cameras in their possession in working condition. The officers have been instructed to fix the camera to their uniforms during duty hours. The cops have been asked to switch on the device every time they flag down a suspected vehicle, interrogate a suspect, or even record a statement at the incident spot. They have also been directed to record the minutes of an angry exchange or altercation with civilians, if any.Since 2021, all police stations and traffic cops were asked to compulsorily switch on their body cameras during any law and order situation or when acting as first responders to a crime. Sources said the SOP has stated that permission from ACPs is a must while deleting footage. A GD entry of the same must also be made in this regard. The deletions can happen only after the concerned ACP gives the nod.The order from the top brass stated that this will help serve two purposes: act as initial evidence and help avoid legal questions later, especially if police findings are challenged by family members. The cops at the nakas and surprise checkpoints in the city have also been asked to switch on their body cameras wherever possible in order to carry out these checks during the election season."The recording will also ensure that each cop sticks to the rule book," said an officer at Lalbazar, adding that this rule will be in place even during day checks, which will begin soon. Officers felt that the use of these cameras will also capture statements of witnesses and suspects that can help in better analysis and will ultimately lead to the arrest of the accused. "The advantage is that senior officers can now monitor an operation without actually visiting the site. Since we employ GPS in all major cases to map the crime scenes, the recordings can be invaluable," said an officer.**BOX:**- Lalbazar has asked all cops attending to calls on the road to not only have their body cameras switched on but also to ensure that footage is preserved scientifically for at least six months.- They should ensure there is enough storage left in the camera to record the same.- A ten-point SOP has been issued in this regard to all traffic guards in the city after two instances when run-ins with the public could not be recorded due to the camera storage dying out.- The SOP has stated that permission from ACPs is a must while deleting footage.- A GD entry of the same must also be made in this regard.- The deletions can happen only after the concerned ACP gives the nod. MSID:: 120617244 413 | Kolkata: Lalbazar has once again instructed traffic police officers and all police stations to properly use body cameras. Additionally, the force has been reminded of the ten-point Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) created by Kolkata Police last year regarding the use of body cameras.According to sources, Manoj Verma, the city police commissioner, held a meeting recently with traffic police officials where he emphasised the correct use of body cameras. The immediate reason for Commissioner Verma to remind his men of this SOP was the recent incident at Bansdroni, where the local police station ASI—now closed until the departmental enquiry is over—did not carry his body camera amidst allegations that he slapped an app-biker who said he could not share his original bike documents as he was carrying them in his Digi-locker. The incident was recorded on video by the motorcyclist and spread on social media, leading to the officer being closed by Lalbazar.Lalbazar officials believe that if the camera had been present, it would have provided clarity on what happened before and after the incident. Lalbazar stated that when such allegations arise against police officers, video recordings from body cameras are useful in determining the truth. Therefore, police officers have been reminded once again of the SOP for video recording during law enforcement duties or while issuing traffic fines.The SOP has asked all cops to switch on body cameras during "public interactions," and traffic guards have been asked to keep all body cameras in their possession in working condition. The officers have been instructed to fix the camera to their uniforms during duty hours. The cops have been asked to switch on the device every time they flag down a suspected vehicle, interrogate a suspect, or even record a statement at the incident spot. They have also been directed to record the minutes of an angry exchange or altercation with civilians, if any.Since 2021, all police stations and traffic cops were asked to compulsorily switch on their body cameras during any law and order situation or when acting as first responders to a crime. Sources said the SOP has stated that permission from ACPs is a must while deleting footage. A GD entry of the same must also be made in this regard. The deletions can happen only after the concerned ACP gives the nod.The order from the top brass stated that this will help serve two purposes: act as initial evidence and help avoid legal questions later, especially if police findings are challenged by family members. The cops at the nakas and surprise checkpoints in the city have also been asked to switch on their body cameras wherever possible in order to carry out these checks during the election season."The recording will also ensure that each cop sticks to the rule book," said an officer at Lalbazar, adding that this rule will be in place even during day checks, which will begin soon. Officers felt that the use of these cameras will also capture statements of witnesses and suspects that can help in better analysis and will ultimately lead to the arrest of the accused. "The advantage is that senior officers can now monitor an operation without actually visiting the site. Since we employ GPS in all major cases to map the crime scenes, the recordings can be invaluable," said an officer.**BOX:**- Lalbazar has asked all cops attending to calls on the road to not only have their body cameras switched on but also to ensure that footage is preserved scientifically for at least six months.- They should ensure there is enough storage left in the camera to record the same.- A ten-point SOP has been issued in this regard to all traffic guards in the city after two instances when run-ins with the public could not be recorded due to the camera storage dying out.- The SOP has stated that permission from ACPs is a must while deleting footage.- A GD entry of the same must also be made in this regard.- The deletions can happen only after the concerned ACP gives the nod. MSID:: 120617244 413 |