Bodycams Lead to Drop in Attacks on Police Officers in Malta

The introduction of body-worn cameras has resulted in a significant decrease in violent attacks on police officers and baseless allegations against them in Malta, according to Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri. Data presented by the minister shows that the number of violent incidents against officers fell from 66 in 2019 to 36 in 2023, with a total of 217 cases recorded over the past five years.

The bodycams were rolled out in 2021 as part of a €1 million investment aimed at increasing the protection of officers and providing useful footage for court proceedings. Police Commissioner Angelo Gafa stated that the cameras have been effective in achieving these goals, while also leading to a drop in unfounded complaints against officers.

Minister Camilleri highlighted the positive impact of the bodycams during a meeting of the European Confederation of Police (EuroCOP) held in Malta this week. The conference focused on the alarming rise in physical, verbal, and online attacks against police officers across Europe. As a potential solution, EuroCOP proposed collecting data on violence against officers throughout the continent to inform and improve training programs.

Why this matters: The successful implementation of bodycams in Malta serves as a promising example for other European countries grappling with increasing aggression towards police officers. The data-driven approach proposed by EuroCOP could help develop targeted strategies to enhance officer safety and build public trust in law enforcement.

Minister Camilleri emphasized that the bodycams have not only boosted the safety of officers but also contributed to a reduction in incidents and false allegations. "The bodycams have increased the protection of officers, and also led to a drop in incidents and baseless allegations," he stated during the EuroCOP meeting. The conference provided a platform for discussing the challenges faced by police officers across Europe and exploring potential solutions to address the growing problem of violence against law enforcement personnel.

Key Takeaways

• Body-worn cameras in Malta reduced violent attacks on police by 45% from 2019 to 2023.
• Bodycams led to a drop in unfounded complaints against officers, per the Police Commissioner.
• EuroCOP proposed collecting data on violence against officers to improve training programs.
• Malta's bodycam success serves as a model for other European countries facing police aggression.
• Bodycams increased officer protection and reduced incidents and baseless allegations, per the Minister.