The Axon body-worn video from the US multi-national TASER International has been selected for officer use by the Metropolitan Police. The new cameras will be deployed to all front-line officers. Final contract details are still being negotiated, the firm says.
Led by the Mayor’s Office of Policing and Crime (MOPAC), the Met completed a 12-month pilot earlier this year using 1000 of the Axon body-worn cameras, pictured. This largest trial of body cameras to date was considered a success and a research study by MOPAC and the College of Policing found that introducing the cameras resulted in a 33 percent reduction in complaints against officers.
TASER CEO and Founder Rick Smith said: “This is a hugely exciting moment for both TASER and its Axon technology platform. We’re driving a global trend toward smarter, more transparent policing and we’re beyond thrilled to be pushing new boundaries forward with one of the largest and most well respected police forces in the world. Our Axon platform is now the most widely used body camera and digital evidence management solution in law enforcement, providing new and innovative ways to maximise officer safety while enhancing the level of trust of citizens through the collection of video evidence.”
And Sir Bernard Hogan Howe, Metropolitan Police Commissioner, said: “I’m delighted that we will be able to press ahead with the roll-out of this technology. For too long our equipment has lagged behind the technology almost everyone has in their pockets to capture events as they unfold. Soon, more of our officers will be able to make a record of the very challenging circumstances they are asked to deal with on a daily basis and then demonstrate, more effectively, the reality of policing our capital.”
About TASER International, Inc
Founded in 1993, TASER offers electrical weapons, body cameras and digital evidence management tools to mobile apps. TASER’s worldwide headquarters are in Scottsdale, Arizona and its international headquarters in Amsterdam. TASER also has offices in London, UK and Seattle. Visit uk.taser.com.
