The revised bill that allows the use of portable cameras in police uniforms and patrol cars is expected to be brought to the Plenary before the dissolution of Parliament.
Despite the reservations expressed today in the Legal Committee of the Parliament by the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection, about the way the body search is recorded so that sensitive parts of the investigated person are not visible, the bill that has undergone several changes, will be examined, as stated by its president Nikos Tornaritis in the next session in order to reach the Plenary. "We will all be inferior to the circumstances if we do not give all the tools to the police force to fight organized crime," stressed Mr. Tornaritis.
According to the spokesman of the Ministry of Justice, Nikos Chrysostomou, the bill is particularly important and will turn the cameras into an eyewitness and solve the various problems that arise. On the part of the Police, a spokesman said that the bill is considered very important for the Chief of Police because it will protect both members of the police and the citizens.
The Office of the Commissioner for Administration reported that personal data protection issues arise, which is why there should be strict provisions.
The Cyprus Police Association reported that the bill has changed a lot, it has improved and we believe that with the proper training of police officers it will help our members avoid false complaints and perform their duties more correctly. The bill protects police officers and citizens, it was reported.
Nikos Loizides of the Equality trade union said that many things have changed compared to the previous bill and stressed that the presumptions will be destroyed every year and not every three months. He also stated that for the undercover police officers, they should not be able to use the cameras.
AKEL MP Andreas Pasiourtidis pointed out that everything must be clear about who records what and what is presented in Court. He clarified that he will not give horizontal approval to the Police. On behalf of DISY, MP Fotini Tsiridou stated that all weapons must be given to the Police to fight organized crime.
Two reservations were expressed by the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection and concern the recording of body searches in sensitive areas. The Police spokeswoman said that the body search must be recorded so that there are no complaints about the way the investigation was conducted.
The main provisions of the revised bill are as follows:
- 1 Portable cameras will be used to capture and record audio and image and will be placed, with the approval of the Chief of Police, on the police uniform and equipment of the members of the Police, on the clothes of members serving in civilian clothes and/or on Police vehicles, with or without police insignia. When capturing and recording audio and video, portable cameras will emit a light signal so that their operation is visually perceived. The audiovisual material resulting from the use of portable cameras will be able to be used as evidence in any criminal, disciplinary and/or civil judicial proceedings.
- 2. The use of portable cameras aims to protect members of the Police in the performance of their duties, to protect the public from possible arbitrariness of police officers and to improve the quality of testimony concerning the commission of criminal offenses.
- 3. Each member of the Police may activate a portable camera and use it to capture and record audio and image, in the following and only cases:
During the arrest and/or investigation of any person.
– When entering any place for research purposes, as well as during its conduct.
– When pursuing any person or means of transport.
– During the objection of a person and/or means of transport in the context of an investigation and during its conduct, as well as for the purpose of investigating the complaint of any offense in violation of any law.
-During the arrival of members of the Police at the scene of committing any offense in violation of any law.
– When a member of the Police is attacked, resists or is hindered in the performance of his duty.
-When conducting high-risk operations.
According to the revised bill, the term "high-risk business" means a situation that is reasonably considered dangerous or unsettled, unpredictable and fragile, and which evolves in such a way that it is likely to cause death or injury to a person or damage to property. In order to avoid adverse consequences or its escalation, as well as to limit its intensity and extent, it is necessary to take immediate measures and take action on the part of the Police.
This concept includes, but is not limited to, the following offences: suppression of riots, terrorist incident, kidnapping, hostage-taking, piracy, rebellion of prisoners/detainees, fortification of wanted persons, rioting or mass incidents of violence, armed robbery, trapping criminals in a building, exchange of gunfire, attempted suicide and execution of court orders under the Psychiatric Hospitalization Law.
