"Policing has got to be braver” around releasing Body-worn video

14 September 2024

"Policing has got to be braver” around releasing Body-worn video to the public to show the reality of what officers confront, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary has said.

Speaking at the Superintendents Association Conference, Andy Cooke said officers feel let down by the lack of communication from their forces and that the police service needs to get better at telling its story to the public.

Mr Cooke was speaking as he published his report into activism and impartiality in policing.

His report stated: "Many officers and staff were also critical of the lack of police communications about the good work forces do to keep people safe. An officer in one focus group said: “They [the force] never push back or defend us – good news doesn’t matter.”

It added: “Many interviewees told us they felt let down by forces often not doing enough to respond to the developing narrative when they are the subject of critical reporting & social media comment. This leaves gaps that others sometimes fill with speculation.”

Mr Cooke said that forces were being risk averse and their using the excise of potential “contempt of court” to not release Body-worn footage promptly was not always correct and causing an issue.

He said he had no major concerns or evidence of police impartiality but on occasion individual officers make mistakes. And that on the whole, officers are doing a good job in navigating a difficult territory.

He said: “As is usually the case with our inspections, what we have found is officers and staff working hard to do the best job they can. Regardless of where we went in England and Wales, we found officers and staff at all ranks and grades trying to do their best in often difficult situations.

“I spent 36 years working in the police service, so I fully appreciate that policing is not easy. Officers and staff often find themselves in an invidious position. They must make difficult decisions about keeping the peace and meeting the needs of individuals and groups with opposing views, whilst simultaneously upholding everyone’s rights. Often, this is about contentious or emotive issues.

"This means that a lot of the time, the police simply can’t win. Whatever they do, they are likely to incur the resentment of some.”

Overall, he said greater clarity is needed on the definition of operational independence is needed to maintain police impartiality.

“Officers and staff must be set up by the system to have the greatest chance of success.”