Minister for Police Mark Ryan today joined Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Wheeler in Townsville for the roll-out of the Queensland Police Service's new body-worn cameras.
The state-of-the-art cameras boast impressive capabilities, including the option to live-stream interactions and feed information back to specialist or higher-ranking police in real-time.
Minister Ryan said the new technology was among the first of its kind to be rolled out.
"This is a world-leading initiative, fit for our world-class police service," Minister Ryan said.
"The live streaming capabilities of these vests means we are able to get clear, accurate information as an emergency situation unfolds."
The technology has already proven successful, including during a recent siege situation on Magnetic Island where a police negotiation coordinator managed the on-scene negotiator response without having to travel to the Island via ferry.
"The negotiator livestreamed into the body worn cameras of negotiators on-scene, and was able to give the best advice to those officers as the siege unfolded," Minister Ryan said.
"This is life-saving technology that strengthens the response of our police, to ensure we can make quick and accurate decisions at the touch of a button."
The Palaszczuk Government continues to deliver on their record $3 billion police budget, with more than 12,000 hi-tech cameras to be rolled out within the financial year – two years ahead of schedule.
Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper said it was the Palaszczuk Government that continue me to back police with the resources and equipment they needed.
"As technology continues to advance its incredibly important the Queensland Police Service have the equipment they need to help keep our communities safe," Mr Harper said.
Townsville MP Scott Stewart said more than 600 cameras have been distributed to Townsville police since May.
"We will continue to back our police with both equipment and personnel to make sure police have the tools they need to do their job," Mr Stewart said.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Wheeler said the camera's capability took policing in Queensland to a new level.
"This is just an extra tool in the tool-belt of our officers, to ensure we can best protect the public," Acting Deputy Commissioner Wheeler said.
"Having this technology allows our on-scene crews to utilise advice from teams off-scene, in an instant."
