The Hodgman Liberal Government is continuing to work towards our goal of making Tasmania the safest state to live, work and raise a family.
As part of this strong plan, we are today beginning the roll-out of body-worn cameras to all frontline police officers in Tasmania.
We have committed $3.4 million over four years to provide the cameras to Tasmania Police, which is aimed at improving the safety of our police officers and the community.
Following extensive consultation with police agencies across Australia and overseas, and a robust tender process, Axon Public Safety Australia has won the contract to provide Tasmania Police with a body-worn camera and digital evidence solution.
Today, the first of the staged roll-out of body-worn cameras will be deployed to frontline officers stationed in Hobart. The roll-out will extend to frontline police officers stationed at Launceston, Devonport and Burnie in the coming months.
The body-worn cameras will capture audio and visual evidence direct from incident scenes. Based on evidence from other jurisdictions across the world, it is anticipated that the use of the cameras will positively influence the behaviour of people interacting with police.
This, in turn, will contribute to a safer working environment for our frontline police officers.
The use of body-worn cameras will also further contribute to the delivery of accountable, transparent and professional policing services to the Tasmanian community.
The use of body-worn cameras will be supported by the introduction of enabling legislation to Parliament later this month. In the short-term, police will use the devices under existing legislative provisions.
The Tasmanian Government is committed to continuing to provide Tasmania Police with contemporary equipment and technology to increase the safety of our police officers, community members and victims of crime.
More Media Releases from Michael Ferguson
More Media Releases from the Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management