14 July 2021

Trial By Social Media: “For too long policing has sat back and absorbed unfair and unjust criticism and allegations"

James Dimmack, Chair of Dorset Police Federation, has given his backing to forces sharing more body-worn video to highlight the daily challenges offices face and to negate “trial by Social Media”.

He was speaking after the Police Federation of England and Wales urged more forces to utilise new guidelines which enables them to release body-worn video footage easier.

James said: “I am completely supportive of Police taking a proactive approach to this. For too long we have sat back and absorbed unfair and unjust criticism and allegations. In these treacherous days of unvetted trail by media we are all too vulnerable to damaging vexatious complaints.

“We have witnessed this in Dorset recently with officers being set up to react. When a reaction is elicited a video is broadcast with no context for the actions an officer has taken. This has been successfully countered by releasing our own unedited footage which shows the full story. The public have then drawn their own conclusions which have drawn condemnation of those posting this malicious footage.”

James added: “Overwhelmingly the public are in support of the Police and the challenging and harrowing work we do. This should not be undermined by people with an agenda which is usually for profit or self-promotion. If we have done wrong we will be held to account. If we are being used as social media side show and we can show the truth we absolutely should.

“This is to show the public reality and more importantly protect Police Federation members - hard working front line police officers - whose careers and emotions are being played with.”

James was really pleased to hear the comments of DCC Scott Chilton who stated: “Trial by by social media is often misleading, unfair and really damaging to our hard working officers and staff.”

James added: “Massive credit to DCC Chilton who has recognised this within Dorset, pledged to address it and has already taken effective, appropriate and successful action to counter these attempted ambushes on our officers reputations.

“Body worn video does not always tell the whole story however it is the nearest thing to being there. It is put simply the biggest leap forward in Police equipment for a generation. As a Federation we support our officers and BWV helps us to do this.

“By the same token, on the incredibly rare occasions officers are accused of acting outside of the Police Code of Ethics and Police Regulations, the BWV will evidence this and they will be held to account accordingly. The technology is here to stay and I for one am extremely pleased about it.”