Traffic police officers to wear body cameras starting today; individuals stopped must be informed they are being recorded

(Patria) - The use of body cameras on the uniforms of police officers of the Traffic Unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton began today, July 1st. Sarajevo Canton thus became the first in Bosnia and Herzegovina whose police force uses body cameras, fulfilling a promise made to citizens to increase police transparency and efficiency.

“Starting today, police officers of the Traffic Unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton will be on duty with new equipment – body cameras. This is the fulfillment of another major promise to our citizens. I submitted the initiative to procure these devices and equip our police to the Government of Sarajevo Canton back in 2021, and funds of almost half a million KM were immediately secured. The procurement was finally concluded in November last year, and the conditions were met for the Police Directorate to begin their implementation. This is a pilot phase during which the Police Directorate will monitor the use of body cameras and resolve any ambiguities and shortcomings, as our goal is for their use to be as effective as possible,” stated Minister Katica.

Regarding the method of using body cameras and their functionality, Minister Katica stated:

“We are confident that body cameras will have multiple benefits, and I emphasize that their primary function is PROTECTION. The cameras will improve the safety of our police officers and protect them from potentially unfounded complaints, disrespect, non-compliance with officials, and similar issues. At the same time, they will also protect citizens from potential abuse of police authority. Body cameras will be worn on visible parts of the uniforms and will record the area in front of the police officer. Every police officer will be obliged, when performing police duties and applying police powers, to inform the person towards whom they are acting that they are being recorded,” said Minister Katica.

He added that the use of body cameras is regulated by the Rulebook on the Procedure of Police Officers of the Police Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of KS when Performing Police Duties and Applying Police Powers.

Minister Katica also touched upon the procurement of other equipment and material-technical resources for the police, emphasizing that despite numerous obstacles, the police are becoming stronger and better equipped day by day.

“I am often asked why a helicopter, not police uniforms? Why special armored vehicles, and not something else… It is important for citizens, as well as our police, to know that one does not exclude the other. We are ensuring that the police have everything they need and are simultaneously initiating numerous procurements, but the dynamics of their realization depend on many factors, primarily the public procurement process. We are addressing issues one by one and I promise that our police will have new uniforms, equipment, special vehicles, and especially new infrastructure necessary for more efficient work, in the shortest possible time,” stated Minister Katica.

The contract for the procurement of body cameras with the accompanying equipment necessary for the functioning of the entire system was signed on November 22, 2023, and its value is 418,795 KM excluding VAT.

“Often I am asked why a helicopter, and not police uniforms? Why special armored vehicles, and not something else.... It is important for citizens, as well as our police, to know that one does not exclude the other. We are ensuring that the police have everything they need and are simultaneously initiating numerous procurements, but the dynamics of their realization depend on many factors, primarily the public procurement process. We are addressing issues one by one and I promise that our police will have new uniforms, equipment, special vehicles, and especially new infrastructure necessary for more efficient work, in the shortest possible time,” stated Minister Katica.

The contract for the procurement of body cameras with the accompanying equipment necessary for the functioning of the entire system was signed on November 22, 2023, and its value is 418,795 KM excluding VAT.