PNP deploys body cameras in checkpoints to keep police in check

PNP chief Guillermo Eleazar at Camp Crame on Monday views the live feed of a body worn camera deployed in a checkpoint. Photo courtesy of Philippine National Police

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday began the deployment of body-worn cameras (BWC) to police deployed in Metro Manila control points during enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

Police chief Guillermo Eleazar, together with technical experts of the PNP, spearheaded the monitoring of the live video feeds of the bodycameras worn by cops, right at the command and control center in Camp Crame.

“Our personnel on the ground have been dealing with a large number of people on a daily basis since day one of the ECQ on August 6,” Eleazar said in a statement.

“These body-worn cameras will serve as the constant reminder for them to be courteous at all times and at the same time, their protection against claims and allegations of abuses,” Eleazar added.

The police chief also said that they deployed BWCs so the personnel and commanders will eventually get used to the aspect of command and control and other technical issues.

He also noted that the real-time videos from the ground will help commanders to implement immediate security adjustments.

Eleazar said that those deployed were among the BWCs that were distributed in various police units of the National Capital Region Police Office in May this year.

The PNP procured almost 3,000 BWCs from the congressional allocation in 2017 and is looking to acquire 30,000 more.

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