Police’s latest crime-fighting tech device: Body-worn video cameras

SINGAPORE — In just less than two years, footage from police surveillance cameras installed at Housing and Development Board (HDB) blocks and multi-storey carparks has helped the police crack 48 cases and generated leads for investigators in another 195 cases.

These cameras, which have been installed at more than 2,000 locations, are an example of how the police have harnessed technology to boost their crime-fighting abilities, said Second Home Affairs Minister S Iswaran yesterday.

Speaking during the parliamentary debate on the Home Affairs Ministry’s budget this year, Mr Iswaran also announced the next technological experiment the police are embarking on: Video cameras frontline officers can wear on their bodies.

“The experience of police forces in countries such as the United Kingdom and Canada indicate that such cameras and their recordings have been useful in deterring crime, calming rowdy members of the public and providing valuable investigative leads,” said Mr Iswaran, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Trade and Industry Minister. A trial will begin in the middle of the year, he added.

Police cameras will also go up at another 1,150 HDB blocks this year, to meet the target of covering all 10,000 HDB blocks and multi-storey carparks by 2016.

Where it is relevant for investigations into offences under town councils’ purview, footage will be released to them, said Mr Iswaran, in response to Aljunied Member of Parliament Pritam Singh’s call.

The police cameras are part of the Community Policing System (COPS) — comprising a policing unit and an elite team of investigators familiar with that particular neighbourhood — launched in May 2012.

Yesterday, Mr Iswaran also said that COPS, which has been established at 20 Neighbourhood Police Centres (NPC) so far, will be implemented in eight more this year. The remaining seven NPCs will come on board next year, he added.

On measures to deter traffic violations, Mr Iswaran said new digital red light and speed cameras have been rolled out around the island.

The first five digital red light cameras went operational earlier this month and a total of about 260 cameras will be installed by the first half of next year, he added. “This will complement the efforts of officers on the ground, and enhance our ability to detect and identify vehicles that speed or run red lights,” he said.

A new online portal will also be launched next Saturday for members of the public to report traffic violations, as well as examples of courteous and considerate driving.