PERAK JPJ ROLLS OUT USE OF BODYCAMS TO BOOST TRANSPARENCY

IPOH, Jan 16 (Bernama) -- The Perak Road Transport Department (JPJ) has rolled out a pilot phase of body-worn cameras (BWC) to record interactions between enforcement officers and road users, in a move to enhance integrity, transparency, and safety during enforcement operations.

Perak JPJ deputy director Mohd Azmi Jaafar said 14 BWC units have been received so far, with eight deployed at the Ipoh branch, four in Taiping, and the remaining two at the Kuala Kangsar enforcement station.

“These devices have been in use since November after they were distributed by the headquarters, but this is a pilot phase before being expanded more comprehensively in the future.

“The purpose of using BWCs is to record all interactions between enforcement officers and road users. These recordings not only protect the rights of road users, but also safeguard enforcement officers from misunderstandings, unfounded accusations and allegations of misconduct,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after a special operation on nine major offences along Jalan Kuala Kangsar - Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah here today.

Mohd Azmi said BWC recordings are monitored in real time by a monitoring team at the headquarters, and any complaints involving road users will be given due attention and immediate response in accordance with the established standard operating procedures (SOP).

“The devices cannot be switched off arbitrarily by officers on duty and may only be turned off after duty hours or in specific situations involving sensitive areas, in line with the SOP.

“If a device is switched off without reasonable cause, the monitoring system at headquarters will detect it,” he said.

According to Mohd Azmi, the use of BWCs is not limited to roadblocks, but also involves enforcement officers at JPJ counters, vehicle inspection centres and driving institutes, to monitor interactions with customers and test candidates.

-- BERNAMA