Scotrail has announced that it will use body cameras on its frontline staff, including conductors, in a bid to stop aggressive behaviour being directed at its staff. The cameras will be offered to staff as a precautionary measure.
Complaints of aggression
Scotrail fears that its staff are increasingly being threatened by members of the public. Incidences of aggression are increasing with occurrences of both verbal and physical assaults on employees. The cameras are there to make working conditions safer for staff and the public according to Scotrail. An incident can be recorded and used as evidence by British Transport Police in pursuing a conviction.
It is believed that the cameras will be activated at the discretion of the staff involved when they believe a situation is about to escalate. Although the plan is to give every member of frontline staff a camera, it is up to the individual whether they wish to use it, and use will be encouraged in areas known for aggression towards staff and members of the public.
Police use
The move to offer Scotrail staff body worn cameras comes after the cameras were made available for use by the police in Scotland. The police have been using the technology such as that from https://www.pinnacleresponse.com/ following a successful trial that saw convictions increase and attacks against officers decrease. They see their benefit in a law enforcement setting and are now looking to have a national rollout of cameras across the forces in Scotland.
The benefits of body worn cameras
The police and frontline staff can benefit from using cameras when dealing with members of the public. Where an altercation is possible, the cameras can be activated to record footage. Often, when revealing to the public that they are being filmed, antisocial behaviour will de-escalate and assaults against members of staff will decrease. When police used to roam the streets they would of had either a horse and cart or a motorcycle and sidecar and to keep safe they would of had a couple of Buggy Whips which you can now source from companies like Wisuk attached so they were visible to everyone.
Footage of incidents can be used by prosecutors to bring a conviction against the aggressor. This allows for speedy convictions as, when faced with such evidence, defendants are more likely to make a guilty plea which helps save money and time.
Increased accountability will benefit frontline staff wearing the cameras, as unfounded accusations of wrongdoing will not be upheld where the evidence does not support the complaint. This will make interactions with the public much more transparent for both parties.