In a first, Hyderabad Traffic Police to be equipped with body-worn cameras

Hyderabad: Ensuring a people friendly approach by enforcing officers towards traffic violators, the Hyderabad Traffic Police (HTP) launched ‘Body Worn Cameras’ for the first time in the country. Telangana Home Minister Nayini Narasimha Reddy, who launched the initiative by issuing 100 ‘Body Worn Cameras’ to the front line officers said this is for the first in the country that traffic officers will be equipped with such an equipment. [caption id=“attachment_2408528” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representation image, Reuters[/caption] “This initiative is in the direction of developing friendly policing in Hyderabad and the use of technology will improve transparency and accountability in Traffic Management,” the Minister said, adding after formation of Telangana state last year there have been marked changes in the police system. Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Jitender said this project was started on a pilot basis in August last year by issuing four ‘Body Worn Cameras’ to the traffic officers. After successful implementation, 100 new ‘Body Worn Cameras’ have been acquired by the Hyderabad Traffic Police to monitor the Traffic Enforcement system, he said. Elaborating on ‘Body Worn Cameras’, the top traffic cop said it is user friendly, having stud moving clip for wearing on the body and simple one click record. Citizens, when caught for any traffic violations by traffic cops can notice the recording on the front facing LCD screen. “Protected files and encrypted log of events makes it free from manipulations,” Jitender said, adding this will enable socially desirable behaviour by traffic officers and public during their interactions. In the conventional practice of enforcement, there were many incidents of arguments, assaults and misbehaving between the commuters and cops. Subsequently, on the other end, there was no evidence on record to establish the guilt (of violators) and it badly ruined the image of traffic cops, he said. The new system will help in improving discipline among the public as well as the police personnel, he said. Hyderabad Police Commissioner M Mahender Reddy also spoke. PTI