Police to patrol city with body cameras

FE Report
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) will use body cameras for the first time as part of tightening its security measures in the capital to avert any untoward situation or subversive act during the New Year celebration.
Policemen, on a trial basis, will be seen patrolling the city streets with tiny cameras on their chests and lapels from early 31st night that welcomes New Year through various celebrations across the world.
DMP Commissioner Benazir Ahmed disclosed the measure at a press briefing at DMP Media Centre in the capital on Tuesday noon.
He said the technology will help the law-enforcers perform their duties more efficiently. "We'll use it on a trial basis for the first time in the country."
A study, conducted by the University of Cambridge's Institute of Criminology, found that the body-worn cameras reduced the use of force by roughly 50 per cent while complaints against police also fell 90 per cent.     
The DMP commissioner said no outsiders will be allowed to enter the diplomatic zone, stretching Gulshan, Baridhara and Banani, as well as the Dhaka University campus from 8:00pm (Wednesday) to 5:00pm (Thursday) to avoid any untoward situation.
"Alcohol detection devise will be used in the areas to make the celebration free from alcohol, and all bars in the capital will remain closed from 7:00pm Wednesday (today)."
Apart from intensifying vigilance and intelligence activities, additional law-enforcers, including RAB and plainclothes policemen, will take position at the city's different strategic points during the festival.
The DMP chief also urged the city-dwellers to refrain from exploding crackers on the New Year eve.
"We won't allow anyone to celebrate the occasion at open places and road intersections as well as on flyovers for the sake of maintaining the city's law and order."
DMP has imposed restrictions on entering some areas and roads of the city from the very first hour of the New Year, he added.
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