Home Minister Imran Abdullah says the plan is to start using police bodycams this year as government looks to enhance the police institution.
The Minister said this in his written answer to the questions posed by MP for Galolhu dhekunu constituency Mikail Ahmed Naseem, who had asked why members of the police force did not wear body-worn cameras or bodycams while disbanding protests and rallies.
Imran had said that the police had made a decision at the policy level on this matter and that it was working to acquire the required equipment.
The Ministry also said that this matter had been included in the Police budget for the year and it was delayed last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Imran further said that police had conducted a pilot program for police bodycams and had submitted a proposal to the tender board in order to acquire 1400 cameras from the American Axon brand as a single source purchase.
However, he said that the tender board had rejected the proposal but added that the ministry and the police force are targeting to start using the bodycams this year.
Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed had said before that bodycams are an effective tool to improve police contact with people, reduce misconduct complaints and bolster public confidence in policing.
