Body Cams – Me Modaykhan: "Abroad, it has reduced the number of complaints against police officers"

Body Cams – Me Modaykhan: "Abroad, it has reduced the number of complaints against police officers". The potential introduction of body cameras within the Mauritian police forces, currently under consideration, has sparked both interest and caution. These portable cameras, already in use in France, the UK, and the United States, could enhance transparency, improve the quality of field investigations, and provide reliable evidence in court. However, their deployment raises legal and ethical questions.

Need for Legal Framework

According to Me Modaykhan, body cameras are a proven technology internationally. "If implemented here, it can improve the evidence presented in court and simultaneously enhance public trust in the police," he states.

However, he emphasizes that, like any technology, it has its limitations. One of the main risks pertains to the violation of the ICT Act. "It is crucial to establish strict guidelines to protect citizens' rights. These guidelines should be integrated into our laws and clearly define the circumstances under which body cameras can be used, such as during arrests, searches, or investigations in private homes, and for producing evidence in court," he explains.

The former Senior Prosecutor also insists on adhering to standard evidentiary rules, such as the chain of custody, as well as controlling the storage and authenticity of recordings. He cites the example of Northern Ireland, where 74 police officers misused body camera recordings for personal purposes. "There, the law provides for actions and disciplinary sanctions. We must prevent any illegal use of this technology here as well," adds Me Modaykhan.

Improving Investigations and Reliability of Evidence

The use of body cameras could also enhance the quality of field investigations and provide objective evidence in court. "Body cameras are already accepted as evidence in several jurisdictions. Their benefits are numerous: they improve investigative work, increase precision, and reduce the time needed to conduct an investigation while producing tangible evidence," details Parwaiz Modaykhan.

During an arrest, the camera allows for the analysis of body language and the behavior of suspects. It protects both the police and the public by reducing abuse, false statements, and complaints against police officers.

A study conducted at the University of Cambridge with 2,000 police officers using body cameras showed a 93% reduction in complaints against the police. Moreover, recordings can be presented directly as evidence in court. In the UK, footage from body cameras is already accepted as primary evidence.