Council officers wear cameras

Brodie Cowburn brodie@baysidenews.com.au

FRANKSTON Council officers have begun using body-worn cameras.

Frankston Council acting CEO Kim Jaensch said that protections had been put in place to prevent the footage from being accessed. “All footage recorded by a body worn camera will be downloaded and stored in a secure electronic location with strict controls, restricted access and protection from unauthorised viewing, copying, alteration, and disclosure. The footage will only be retained for a short period, unless needed as evidence or for another purpose,” she said.

“Recorded data may be provided to a third party on the condition that the third party has an official role in investigating and/or prosecuting the incident or as authorised by privacy law.”

Jaensch says the cameras will “enhance safety and transparency in our community”.

“The cameras will be exclusively used by authorised personnel, such as law enforcement officers, to record interactions between authorised officers and the public, ensuring privacy rights are respected. The technology will be used in a range of scenarios, including public events, routine patrols, in emergency situations, investigating complaints against officers, training, and when de-escalating volatile situations,” she said. “The presence of BWCs can act as a deterrent against offenses and antisocial behaviour, adding an additional layer of protection and facilitating de-escalation. The technology can also provide objective evidence for legal proceedings, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of enforcement processes.”

Frankston Council has confirmed the cost of the project will be included on the contract register online within its transparency hub.