Media Release - Police watchdog urges strengthening of body-worn camera policy to enhance public trust

Wednesday, 05 March 2025

Strengthening the policies which apply to body-worn camera usage for NSW police officers would enhance public trust in policing, a new report from the independent police watchdog recommends. 

The Law Enforcement Conduct Commission report makes 15 recommendations against a backdrop of serious police incidents in which officers did not activate available body‑worn cameras.

Despite a requirement to wear the cameras, operational police in NSW are instructed that they should rather than must turn on the devices in certain circumstances, the Commission’s report notes.

Chief Commissioner Peter Johnson SC linked the use of body-worn video to public confidence in police.

“Body-worn video allows police officers to capture objective, high-quality recordings of police operations, and of every-day interactions with the public.

“In recent years, police body-worn camera footage has proved to be an invaluable tool in helping police and the courts more efficiently deal with allegations, including false allegations against officers who were in reality doing the right thing.

“It is reasonable for the public to expect that officers are given clear and unequivocal instructions that they must activate their body-worn camera in certain circumstances.

“The key recommendation of our review is that the NSW Police Force simplify its current policy, to make clear that officers ‘must’ activate body-worn cameras, at a minimum, when exercising police powers, or, when it is likely that an interaction may lead to the exercise of police powers,” he said.

The report reviewing NSW Police Force body-worn video camera practices and procedures comes after Commission investigations revealed ongoing and inconsistent police practices and attitudes towards the wearing of body-worn cameras and the use of body-worn video.

To read or find out more about the Commission’s report Review of NSW Police Force body-worn video policy and practice please visit the Commission’s website here. A fact sheet about the report can be found here and a video summary of the report can be found here. Prior Commission reports highlighting the usage of body-worn cameras referenced in this review, including Operation Venti, can be found on the publications hub of our website here. To obtain pre-recorded interview footage and grabs of the Commissioner, contact LECC Media.

LECC Media
T: 0425 317 535
E: media@lecc.nsw.gov.au