Lib Dems call for quicker oversight over police incidents

Thames Valley Police have been criticised for their slow reaction in referring themselves for independent investigation. 

As reported by the BBC on 30 January, a woman who had been the victim of an attack was caught on the police’s body-worn video while having a seizure, during which she was partially exposed.

Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the Liberal Democrats in Newbury, Cllr Lee Dillon commented:

"I am shocked that members of our local policing team would think it was ok to make abusive comments whilst reviewing body cam footage and I know the wider community in Newbury will feel the same. Even though the health-care of this individual was their paramount concern at the time, the actions of a minority of officers afterwards have hurt the confidence in our local policing team. Vulnerable women in particular should not have to fear the repercussions of footage being inappropriately reviewed after the event. 

Thames Valley Police appear to have acted too quickly in dismissing the student officer and too slowly in referring themselves for independent investigation”.

Dillon added:

"Tighter rules around the use of body cams and how that footage is later viewed are clearly needed. Safeguarding personal privacy is key in a digital age and due regard needs to be taken when reviewing such personal imagery.”