Use of Body Worn Video
Dear Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council,
I am writing to make an open government request for all the
information to which I am entitled under the Freedom of Information
Act 2000.
Please send me:
The details of your use of body cameras in your organisation –
Does anyone (staff or contractors) in your organisation use/wear body cameras or body worn video recording devices while performing their duties?
If yes, please detail:
Who provides the body cameras and footage/evidence management used by your organisation?
How many staff members use body cameras and what capacities/teams do they work in? Are they staff or contractors (for e.g. outsourced security personnel)
How many body cameras in all are currently owned and/or used by your organisation?
Were the cameras bought as a one off purchase and if so, how much did they cost your organisation?
If they are part of an ongoing contract - what is the current contract term (how long is it and when does it expire) and what is the value of said contract?
Where is the data recorded stored – on premises locally or on cloud?
Who is the point of contact for your body camera programme?
I would like the above information to be provided to me via email.
If this request is too wide or unclear, I would be grateful if you
could contact me as I understand that under the Act, you are
required to advise and assist requesters. If any of this
information is already in the public domain, please can you direct
me to it, with page references and URLs if necessary.
If the release of any of this information is prohibited on the
grounds of breach of confidence, I ask that you supply me with
copies of the confidentiality agreement and remind you that
information should not be treated as confidential if such an
agreement has not been signed.
I understand that you are required to respond to my request within
the 20 working days after you receive this letter.
I would be grateful if you could confirm that you have received
this request, preferably via email.
I look forward to hearing from you
Yours faithfully,
Lucy Johnson
Ms Lucy Johnson
Your request for information has been passed to an investigating officer.
Your reference is FS-Case-65270862
Thank you
Sandwell MBC
Dear Lucy Johnson,
I am emailing in reference to your recent Freedom of Information request
regarding Use of Body Worn Video. Regrettably we have identified that it
is going to take slightly longer to pull the information together and
issue our response Would it be possible to request a five day extension?
Making the deadline for your response 12 February 2018.
If I do not hear from you by 5 February 2018 I will take it that you have
agreed to the extension of time request. I hope to let you have a response
by 12 February 2018 and will keep you informed of any further delay.
Yours sincerely,
Trudie Morris
Personalisation Officer Investigations, Adult Social Care
[1]cid:image006.jpg@01D19A85.C42DD180
Sandwell Council... working for you
Sandwell Council
Jack Judge House
PO Box 15888
Oldbury
West Midlands
B69 9EN (sat nav B69 2AJ)
W: [2]www.sandwell.gov.uk
T: 0121 569 5743
F: 0121 569 5755
E: [3][email address] (please note underscore)
Level 0 - Not Protectively Marked
Level 1 – Protect
Cause distress to individuals
Public confidence in public services and inconvenience - minor
inconvenience likely to reduce an individual's perception of service
No risk to any party’s personal safety
Minor financial loss to any party
Minor damage to any party’s standing or reputation
Cause minor distress to any party
No assistance in the commission of or hindrance to the detection of crime
Level 2 – Protect
Cause substantial distress to individuals
Breach proper undertakings to maintain the confidence of information
provided by third parties
Breach statutory restrictions on the disclosure of information
Cause moderate financial loss or loss of earning potential to, or
facilitate improper gain or advantage for, individuals or companies
Prejudice the investigation or facilitate the commission of crime
Disadvantage government in commercial or policy negotiations with others
Level 3 – Restricted
Cause significant financial loss or loss of earning potential to, or
facilitate improper gain or advantage for, individuals or companies
(Depending on severity as to whether PROTECT or not).
Prejudice the investigation or facilitate the commission of crime
(Depending on severity as to whether PROTECT or not)
Disadvantage government in commercial or policy negotiations with others
(Depending on severity as to whether PROTECT or not).
Impeded the effective development or operation of government policies.
Undermine the proper management of the public sector and its operations.
Dear AdultSC Feedback,
Yes, I will await your reply on the 12th of Feburary.
Yours sincerely,
Lucy Johnson
Dear Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council,
Yes, I will await your reply on the 12th of Feburary.
Yours faithfully,
Lucy Johnson
Dear Ms Lucy Johnson,
Information Request - FS-Case-65270862
Thank you for your Freedom of Information request. In response to your
request I can confirm the following:
From: Lucy Johnson [mailto:[FOI #455784 email]]
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Use of Body Worn Video Does
anyone (staff or contractors) in your organisation use/wear body cameras
or body worn video recording devices while performing their duties? Yes If
yes, please detail: Who provides the body cameras and footage/evidence
management used by your organisation? Street Wardens: Pinnacle is the
supplier. The evidence is kept within the boroughwide patrolling service.
Civil Enforcement Officers: APCOA PARKING UK LTD provide the Body Cams and
manages the evidence/footage. How many staff members use body cameras and
what capacities/teams do they work in? Are they staff or contractors (for
e.g. outsourced security personnel) How many body cameras in all are
currently owned and/or used by your organisation? Street Wardens: We have
15 body cameras that are used by 15 team members who are all Sandwell
Council employees. Civil Enforcement Officers: 19 staff use body cams,
they do not work in teams. APCOA are contractors. 23 body cams are owned
by the Council. Were the cameras bought as a one off purchase and if so,
how much did they cost your organisation? Street Wardens: One off cost at
£6,400 Civil Enforcement Officers: The cameras were purchased as a one off
over an eight month period at a cost of £17,381.54. If they are part of an
ongoing contract - what is the current contract term (how long is it and
when does it expire) and what is the value of said contract? Street
Wardens: N/A Civil Enforcement Officers: There is no contracts with the
council for the Body Cams, however this forms part of the Parking
Enforcement contract which runs from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2019. Where is
the data recorded stored – on premises locally or on cloud? Street
Wardens: Locally. Civil Enforcement Officers: The data is stored on a
stand-alone server. Who is the point of contact for your body camera
programme? Street Wardens: Mark Bowhay, Senior Street Warden.
[email address] Civil Enforcement Officers:
[email address]
If you are dissatisfied with the handling of your request, you have the
right to ask for an internal review. Internal review requests should be
submitted within two months of the date of receipt of the response to your
request, and should be addressed to:
Information Management Unit
Sandwell Council House
Freeth Street
Oldbury
West Midlands
B69 3DE
Email – [Sandwell Council request email]
If you are not content with the outcome of an internal review, you have
the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a
decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire SK9 5AF
Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future
communications.
Yours sincerely
Sandwell MBC
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