Bodycam Protocol & Dashcam Policy - 1722/22

Provision of information held by Northumbria Police made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the 'Act')

As you may be aware the purpose of the Act is to allow a general right of access to information held at the time of a request, by a Public Authority (including the Police), subject to certain limitations and exemptions.

You asked:

Could you please send me the northumbria police policy and guidance for the use of police officer bodycam protocol and the same for the dashcam policy for police pursuit and armed response vehicles including police pursuit vehicle checks undertaken by the driver before leaving the station at the beginning of his shift?

In Response:

We have now had the opportunity to fully consider your request and I provide a response for your attention.

Following receipt of your request, searches were conducted with the various relevant Departments of Northumbria Police. I can confirm that the information you have requested is held by Northumbria Police.

With regards to the policy for body worn video and dashcam policy for police pursuit the below exemption is applicable.

As the information you have requested at this point is accessible by other means I have not provided you with a copy of the information and will rely on Section 21 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. You should therefore consider this a refusal for your request.

I have provided an explanation to this exemption below.

Section 21 (1) - Information accessible by other means

Information which is reasonably accessible to the applicant is exempt information.
The policy for body worn video can be found on the Northumbria Police website by either a simple search for ‘body worn video’ or via the ‘Policy’ page, however in order to assist I have provided the relevant link below for you
Body Worn Video : Northumbria Police

There is also the Vehicle Pursuit Management policy which you may find useful .
In order to assist I have provided the relevant link below.
Vehicle pursuit management : Northumbria Police

With regards to dashcam policy for police pursuit, I can advise that Northumbria Police comply with the Authorised Professional Practice (APP) for Police Pursuits.
Again this information is freely available via the Authorised Professional Practice (APP)
However, in order to assist I have provided the relevant parts below for you.

It is highly desirable in pursuit situations to use vehicles fitted with IDR/driver and vehicle data management systems (DVDMS), together with visual recording equipment, for evidential purposes. Such vehicles should be deployed to take part in pursuits where possible.

Visual recording equipment must:
• be properly maintained and used during pursuits and emergency responses
• not be switched off prior to or during pursuit activities
• be in working order, if not, force reporting procedures should be followed and repairs undertaken at the earliest opportunity.

The Police Vehicle check procedure is attached.