JPJ enforcement officers to start using body cams this year

PUTRAJAYA: The Road Transport Department (JPJ) enforcement officers will start using body-worn cameras this year, with the initial deployment of 100 cameras, according to the Transport Ministry.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke stated that these cameras will enhance the effectiveness of road law enforcement, record interactions with road users, and gather visual evidence for traffic violations.

"The use of these body-worn cameras also plays a role in strengthening the integrity and accountability of enforcement officers while carrying out enforcement duties," he said in a written parliamentary reply to a question from Sabri Azit (PN-Jerai) on Friday.

He added that the cameras will protect officers from threats, misinterpretations, and baseless accusations, as the recordings can be referred to.

JPJ has conducted a proof of concept session to assess the use and functionality of the body-worn camera equipment from technical, system, and operational perspectives, he said.

The first phase with 100 body-worn cameras will start this year.

The second phase, beginning next year, will further expand the usage, subject to financial allocation from the Finance Ministry.

On Jan 6, Loke announced that body-worn cameras would be introduced to its personnel to enhance enforcement transparency, particularly concerning heavy vehicles.

The police are also being equipped with body-worn cameras, with a full nationwide roll-out of all 7,648 cameras by March this year.

Comm Datuk Wan Hassan Wan Ahmad, Bukit Aman’s Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department director, mentioned to The Star in December last year that the cameras will be available at 157 district police headquarters and 640 police stations nationwide.