Police officers in Phuket have been reminded that they must wear body cameras at all checkpoints on the island. The reminder follows the recent decision announced by the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Police, Damrongsak Kittipraphat, that officers are required to wear ‘bodycams’ at all police checkpoints across the country.
The move is designed to foster confidence and trust by providing a verifiable record of interactions between police officers and the public. The cameras will also serve as a tool for investigating complaints of police misconduct and improving police accountability. Officers have also been told that in the event of not having bodycams, they must not set up a checkpoint.
In addition to bodycams, additional requirements for checkpoints have also been confirmed, including the need to have a team leader present. There must also be 3 alcohol testing kits and personal protection equipment must be made available for both police officers and suspects. A sign announcing that there is a checkpoint ahead must also be posted 150 metres before the checkpoint.
The decision to mandate body cameras at police checkpoints comes in response to growing public scrutiny of police behaviour and conduct in Thailand. In recent years, there have been a number of high-profile cases of police brutality and corruption, leading to calls for increased police accountability and transparency.
In addition, the case of a Taiwanese actress who claimed she and her friends were forced to pay a bribe after police found her carrying a vaping device, hit the headlines both here and internationally.
SOURCE: The Phuket News
