Punjab rolls out body cameras for police officials to 'strengthen accountability, modernise policing'

LAHORE: On Tuesday, the Punjab government unveiled plans to equip its police force with body-worn cameras as part of a broader effort to "strengthen accountability, improve public safety, and modernize policing." The initiative, directed by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, will begin in Lahore, with trained police officers prepared to utilize the cameras in the field.

The installation of docking stations at police stations has also commenced. The cameras will be worn by personnel from the Punjab Police, Punjab Highway Patrol, Dolphin Force, and traffic wardens during duty. These devices will be integrated with Smart Safe City systems operating in 43 cities across the province, enabling live monitoring via district Safe City control rooms.

The cameras are equipped with facial-recognition technology, capable of identifying suspects and automatically reading vehicle number plates. They also provide audio and video recording, photography, and calling facilities, with built-in memory for storing recordings during duty hours. Officers are required to return the cameras to designated docking stations after their shifts, after which the recorded data will be automatically transferred and securely stored.

Additional features include push-to-talk functionality for direct communication with control rooms and an SOS button for emergency alerts. The Punjab Chief Minister emphasized that the system aims to enhance police monitoring and curb corruption, with the ultimate goal of ensuring a sense of security among the public, especially vulnerable segments.

Protecting the lives and property of every individual in Punjab remains the government's paramount responsibility.