Police claim that the battery life of body cameras is too brief

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is facing a challenge with the short battery life of body-worn cameras, as revealed during a hearing of the Joint Select Committee on National Security. Divisional Commanders from the Eastern, Northern, and Southern Divisions discussed the issue, with officers complaining about the cameras only lasting one and a half hours on average. JSC Chairman Keith Scotland stressed the importance of enforcing the directive to wear and turn on the cameras at crucial times to support officers against allegations of wrongdoing.

In the Northern Division, Divisional Commander Miguel Montrichard instructed officers to wear the body cameras and ensure they were turned on for as long as the battery lasted. Meanwhile, Divisional Commander Richard Smith from the Northern Division – Central reported that all officers were complying with the instruction to use the cameras while on patrol. In the Southern Division, Divisional Commander Brian Soodeen mentioned that three out of 60 cameras were non-functional, with recorded footage being downloaded during battery recharging.

In terms of the police vehicles in their fleet, the divisional heads agreed that the available vehicles are in acceptable condition and adequate for their needs. However, Smith suggested that modifications should be made to some vehicles due to the degree of use required by the TTPS. He highlighted specific issues with SUVs such as Suzukis having overheating problems, new Santa Fes experiencing radiator problems, and XTrails being over a decade old. These issues were only discovered after rigorous use, indicating a need for ongoing monitoring and maintenance of the vehicles.

Divisional Commander Ryan Khan from the Eastern Division mentioned that there were 66 cameras deployed across the division, acknowledging that there might be some resistance from officers as they get accustomed to the newer technology. The challenge of ensuring officers consistently use the body-worn cameras during critical moments was also raised during the hearing. JSC Chairman Keith Scotland stressed the importance of capturing video evidence to support officers in the face of allegations and urged the commanders to reinforce the directive to wear and turn on the cameras when necessary.

Overall, the issue of short battery life in body-worn cameras presented a significant challenge for the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, as discussed during the Joint Select Committee on National Security hearing. While efforts were being made to ensure compliance with using the cameras, there were still concerns about officers forgetting to turn them on during crucial moments. Additionally, the condition of police vehicles in the fleet was deemed acceptable, but some modifications were suggested to address specific issues with SUVs. Ongoing monitoring and maintenance of both body cameras and vehicles were highlighted as essential for the effective functioning of the TTPS.