Police Scotland has officially commenced the national rollout of body worn video (BWV) technology, equipping frontline officers with new cameras to enhance public safety and policing transparency. The rollout began today, Wednesday, 26 March, with the first officers in Tayside receiving their devices.

Over the coming weeks, approximately 750 officers in Tayside, including road policing officers and dog handlers, will be equipped with the new technology. As the deployment progresses, more than 10,500 Home Office-approved Motorola Solutions VB400 cameras will be issued to frontline officers of constable to inspector ranks, as well as police custody staff, across the country.

Chief Constable Jo Farrell, who took command in October 2023, has prioritised the introduction of BWV technology. The initiative aims to de-escalate incidents, improve public trust, reduce complaints, enhance officer safety, and deliver broader benefits to the criminal justice system.

Chief Constable Farrell commented: “The national rollout of body worn video has begun, with the first officers in Tayside now equipped with this vital technology. Over the next 18 months, we will see a gradual increase in officers using BWV across Scotland—whether in cities, rural communities, on roads, in hospitals, or schools.

“BWV enhances public confidence in policing by providing transparent evidence of police interactions. The technology also strengthens the quality of evidence presented in court, leading to faster justice for victims through increased early guilty pleas and reduced court time for victims, witnesses, and officers.

“There is strong public and partner support for BWV, and we remain committed to engaging with communities to ensure transparency regarding data privacy and human rights considerations.”

The rollout aligns with a key recommendation from Lady Elish Angiolini’s independent review of police complaints. Police Scotland’s national consultation on BWV received over 9,000 responses, with 81% of respondents agreeing that its introduction would enhance public confidence in policing.

Government and Industry Support

Angela Constance, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, welcomed the development:
“I am pleased that the Scottish Government’s record investment in Police Scotland is supporting the national BWV rollout. This technology can increase public trust in policing, enhance officer and staff safety, and benefit victims and witnesses by expediting the justice process.

“The initiative is further supported by the Scottish Government’s £33 million Digital Evidence Sharing Capability (DESC) program, which streamlines evidence sharing from crime scene to courtroom—improving efficiencies across the criminal justice system.”

Fiona McQueen, CBE, Interim Chair of the Scottish Police Authority, highlighted the significance of the rollout: “The introduction of BWV to frontline officers has been a longstanding priority for policing in Scotland. This marks a major milestone in that journey. The well-documented benefits of this technology include enhanced officer and public safety, as well as improved effectiveness in investigations.”

Fergus Mayne, UK and Ireland Country Manager at Motorola Solutions, expressed pride in the collaboration: “Our Motorola Solutions body cameras are designed and assembled in Scotland, and we are proud to support Police Scotland in this nationwide deployment. The insights provided by officers’ video footage will drive policing efficiencies and improve public safety outcomes. We look forward to continuing our collaboration to benefit Scotland’s communities.”

Operational Implementation

All frontline uniformed officers, including Special Constables, will be required to wear a BWV camera while on duty, activating it when exercising police powers, such as during stop and searches, arrests, or executing search warrants. Custody suite staff will also use the cameras during interactions with individuals in custody.

Recorded footage may serve as evidence but will not replace existing evidence-gathering procedures. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) will assess its admissibility on a case-by-case basis. Footage will be securely stored and shared with COPFS through the DESC system.

The rollout of BWV does not signal an increase in single-officer deployments or changes to current policing deployment models in Scotland.

Looking ahead, BWV is expected to be introduced in the Highlands and Islands and the North East in summer 2025, followed by deployment in the east of the country in autumn 2025.