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Digital recording helps West Yorkshire Police improve service
Police stations across Bradford and Keighley have been fitted with a brand new computer system to improve standards of service.
They’ve been converted to digital recording using specialist video servers and banks of hard-drives similar to the ones used in standard desktop PCs.
The system has been installed to assist Help Desk and Custody staff complete their work safely, and save officers time.
The servers are connected to a network, which allows viewing of video and audio from Help Desks, Custody Cells and Charge Desks at various locations.
For example, if an Inspector in his office wanted to check his/her cell area for management purposes, they would be able to do so at the click of a button.
The new system also enables officers to download images for evidence either directly to a DVD form the server, or over the Force network to a desktop PC.
Force IT Radio Manager, Roy Stokes thinks the new system will be beneficial:
"This should make a significant difference to how officers work and provide a higher degree of security for both Custody, and Help Desk staff. Officers time spent on changing tapes, their storage, and subsequent re-use will be saved and it will also improve image quality at the same time."
"Hopefully the public will have more confidence in attending a police station, because if any incidents were to occur then it would be recorded"
Police Officers working in the Bradford Divisions have also given positive feedback on the system:
Sergeant Martin Fuller of Toller Lane Police Station is also pleased about the installation.
"In custody, cameras are vital and I have had personal experience of being able to use the playback facility to assist in enquiries for officers. The new cameras, especially the one's to be put above the booking in desks to show prisoners property, may shorten booking in time. They could also stop malicious complaints about items of property."
"With the installation and movement of other custody camera's, evidence of prisoners behaviour and speech can be captured, providing officer with further evidence in cases of assault or disorder. The cameras take custody areas and prisoner handling into the 21st century."
Plans are also now in place to extend the computer system to various locations in the Pudsey/ Weetwood Division at Leeds.
