Police, Body-Worn Video

Mr GARDNER (Morialta) (15:33): My question is to the Minister for Police. Will the government commit to rolling out body-worn cameras for operational police officers in South Australia?

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light—Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (15:34): I would like to thank the honourable member for his question and—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. A. PICCOLO: I know what the answer is, believe it or not. Body-worn video is one of a number of technology-based innovations which police are looking at in terms of improving both the safety of police and also police productivity. This morning, the Premier announced one of those innovations, which provides additional funding for that, and it was the smartphone to improve both productivity and the safety of police on the beat by giving officers real-time information about offenders, etc., and a whole range of other information which is outlined.

Secondly, we are also looking at trialling tablets, and we are also trialling the body-worn videos. I understand they have been trialled at different locations at different times. The advice I received is that there have been a number of issues which SAPOL would like to resolve before rolling them out. However, in terms of our commitment to improving technology, to improving police productivity in collecting evidence, and also the safety of police, we are committed to rolling them out at the appropriate time, when the evaluations suggest so.