Parliament Workbench
Data: Motions & questions to 19 Nov 2026

Written Question · S6W-01744 · Session 6

Whether it is planning to roll out body-worn cameras for police officers, in light of comments by Police Scotland that this could lead to a…

Answered Asked by Jamie Greene Con Lodged 21 Jul 2021

The question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it is planning to roll out body-worn cameras for police officers, in light of comments by Police Scotland that this could lead to a “spike in guilty pleas”.

The answer

Answered by Keith Brown on 5 Aug 2021 · 15 days after it was lodged, on time

The issue of body-worn cameras is a policy and operational decision for Police Scotland, acting under the oversight of the Scottish Police Authority. However, as part of our budget allocation for policing this year, we have provided one-off funding of £500,000 to support their use by armed officers.
Police Scotland are currently running a public consultation on a wider roll-out body-worn video across the service which will assist them in protecting the public, their officers and staff and provide best evidence at court.
This consultation launched on the 1 June and is due to close on 31 August 2021. The results will help inform protocols, a code of practice and training to ensure that cameras are used in appropriate and proportionate way .

In the Official Report

No contribution in the Official Report cites S6W-01744 by reference.