With body-worn cameras, cops to record interaction with traffic violators

PANAJI: Be careful what you speak to a cop in Goa if you’re being hauled up for a traffic violation the next time.
Goa police have started using body-worn cameras which will record all conversations between personnel and citizens. The police department recently procured 60 cameras at a total cost of Rs 8 lakh for the equipment, a senior police officer said.

The cameras will be used by officers of Goa traffic police as well as officers of the north Goa and south Goa districts during enforcement of traffic laws.

Speaking to TOI, director general of police Muktesh Chander said the camera will be attached to the shirt pocket of the officer and will record all interactions. “There are many incidents wherein violators have hit the police personnel and run away. This will be recorded and it will help police to issue challans even if the violator runs away from the spot,” he said.

Chander added that there have been several instances where upon being aggrieved for being challaned, the motorist has levelled allegations against the police officer.

“In such circumstances, the body-worn cameras will help senior officers to view the video clip and ascertain the factual position. Body-worn cameras will help in curbing such false allegations by the public and will ensure that no harassment is caused either to the public or to the challaning officer,” said Chander.

A senior police officer told TOI that there have been allegations by motorists that officers have demanded for bribes to release the vehicle without issuing a challan. “These cameras will bring out the factual position,” he said.

Such cameras are already being worn by police personnel in Delhi, Hyderabad and other places. There have been many recent incidents where locals have got into arguments with police personnel when being stopped for traffic violations. The chief minister’s office had to even intervene when a video went viral, in which the violator threatened the police that he would call up the chief minister’s under secretary and complain about them issuing a challan.