Prison officers on the frontlines to begin using body-worn cameras

Maldives Correctional Service (MCS) has signed an agreement with ‘Zeta Technologies’ to distribute and import body-worn cameras to launch a trial for prison officers to begin using them.

The agreement was signed by Ahmed Mohamed Fulhu, Commissioner of Prisons on behalf of the corrections authority and Managing Director of ‘Zeta Technologies’ Mohamed Aiman Adam during a special ceremony held on Thursday.

‘Zeta Technologies’ will be importing and distributing body-worn cameras produced by Axon, an American company.

The agreement signed on Thursday will be effective through three months and during this period, Zeta Technologies will be supplying 15 body-worn cameras and three tasers to the Maldives Correctional Service.

This will be met by the launching of training sessions to ensure prisons officers responsibly use the tasers and train themselves for the situations that may arise.

The equipment will be used by prison officers working on the frontlines of prison complexes. The authority revealed that the use of such modern equipment and technology will make prison officers more responsible and make them accountable to their actions.

Further, the authority revealed that this was an important step to ensure the safety of inmates, as well as prison officers.

At a time prison officers are gearing up to begin the use of body cameras, earlier this week the Maldives Police Service introduced them across the Greater Malé Region and southernmost Addu City.

The body-worn cameras were launched during a special ceremony held at Iskandhar Koshi on Sunday, by Aminath Shauna, the Minister of Environment and Technology.

The programme was launched under an initiative by the Commissioner of Police, Mohamed Hameed in 2019, in a bid to bring technological advancements to the police institution.

The institution in 2019, conducted a pilot training programme for the use of body cameras by the force as well. A technology test was also carried out where frontline officers wore the devices. It has taken two years to officially introduce the devices to the police force.

The launching of the devices to the Maldives police force means that the institution has reached newer heights in technology, to ensure the protection of the Maldivian people.

As predicted by the Police Commissioner, the use of the devices is expected to further strengthen and advance the police force and reduce public criticism towards police wrongdoings in public communications. This is also expected to increase the trust the public has towards MPS.

During his presidential address at the inaugural session of the People’s Majlis on 3 February 2022, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had assured that the police officers on-field would begin using body-worn cameras within the month.

As such, noting that a modern policing philosophy is currently in place in a bid to further strengthen the police institution and hold it accountable, the president announced that on-field officers will begin the use of body cameras through February 2022.

He stated that the government’s aim is to increase public confidence in the police institute and that they have always worked resiliently to safeguard the property and lives of Maldivians.