Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander has emphasised that while the procurement of body cameras for police officers is important, the first priority should be equipping them with bulletproof vests.
Speaking to reporters after Tuesday’s official ceremony for incoming Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro, Minister Alexander promised value for money, as he guaranteed officers will be provided with the best available equipment.
Minister Alexander pointed out that all bulletproof vests currently in use by officers are outdated, noting that greater focus will now be placed on officer safety. He said officers must feel the support and protection of the organisation before they are expected to perform their duties to the best of their ability.
“But having that type of money for the service it means that they must get the vehicles available, and the type of equipment. We must look at bulletproof vests for the officers and I often say this, I was asked a question yesterday about body cams and I often say this, my thing would have been to encourage bulletproof vests before bodycams.”
Minister Alexander reiterated that emphasis is still being placed on the acquisition of body cameras to alleviate concerns of members of the public.
“I never said we not putting it. I said if I had a choice I would have brought in the bulletproof vests first, remember that right, first. But it is important, in order to get that transparent, and evidence based on all that you will want to give the police officer the best option to prove his innocence, yeah, and to give the public that trust and confidence that this, what the officer is saying, did in fact happen.”