FIGHTING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WITH BODY-WORN CAMERAS: QUEENSLAND POLICE SERVICE CASE STUDY
OVERVIEW:
THE SOLUTION:
Research has shown that 1 in 4 women in Australia have
When cameras were initially deployed in a 2015 trial,
experienced physical or sexual violence from a partner
the agency’s policy ensured that they would be turned
while in a relationship. While law enforcement agencies
on for all DFV matters. Since then, QPS has stored over
across the country respond to 5,000 domestic and family
21,000 files related to domestic and family violence on
violence (DFV) incidents each week, domestic abuse is
Evidence.com—many of which have been put to use in the
still being underreported and under-prosecuted, in large
“Accelerated Evidence Trial” program, in which prosecutors
part because of the lengthy processing and trial times
use BWC footage to resolve DFV cases before they
associated with such sensitive cases. To combat this
reach a full trial. The results of the program have been
pressing issue, the Queensland Police Service created a
overwhelmingly positive: the video evidence collected has
Domestic Violence Task Force supported by a significant
driven increases in charges filed, arrests, and convictions in
body-worn camera rollout.
DFV cases. Because abusers frequently choose to avoid a trial when faced with footage of their actions, many cases
ABOUT QUEENSLAND POLICE SERVICE:
are settled without officers spending significant time on
• Sworn Officers: 11,500 (850 in Gold Coast)
court preparation, which translates into considerable time
• Axon Cameras Deployed: 2,700 (300 in Gold Coast)
and money saved for QPS. What’s more, the success of
• Other Axon Products in Use: TASER X26P, Axon Capture
the program has helped bring about increased reporting
• Queensland Civilian Population: 4,691,000
of assaults and life-endangering acts (both of which
• Gold Coast Civilian Population: 507,64 2
are strongly correlated with DFV cases), ensuring more
STATS
“The Accelerated Evidence Trial…has reduced police
21,000+ evidence files relating to DFV • 22% projected increase in reported assaults • 60-70% decrease in police summary hearings •
accurate statistics and more thorough enforcement.
summary court hearings by 60 to 70%. This has had a massive impact in terms of reducing the impost on police having to prepare court materials and attend hearings.” — Detective Inspector Marc Hogan
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