The Met’s adoption of the devices is one of the biggest in the world and helps provide evidence to support convictions, while boosting transparency and accountability and protecting officers against malicious and unfounded complaints by providing video evidence of their actions and encounters with the public.
Cameras have already been issued to more than 17,500 frontline officers across the Met’s 32 boroughs, as well as to firearms teams and officers in specialist teams such as the Roads and Transport Policing Command, the Territorial Support Group and the Dog Support Unit.
In the latest expansion, around 75 officers assigned to the maritime unit have also been provided with cameras.
Inspector Chris Green, from the unit, said: “We have four response teams and respond to a wide variety of crime and public order matters including pub fights and disorder on party boats on the Thames.
“We also carry out counter-terrorism security patrols on a daily basis as well as assisting armed colleagues who might need operational access to the water.
“One of the areas we cover that is unique to the river is search and rescue. The MPU, in conjunction with the RNLI, rescue dozens of people from the river every year as well as, sadly, recovering bodies.
“Body Worn Video (BWV) will help in all areas of our work, providing an indisputable record of events and ensuring transparency and accountability in the unique marine environment.”
