The Ministry of the Interior in the United States announced on Monday a new policy requiring all security forces to wear body cameras. The move aims to document performance, speed up video transmission during serious events, and strengthen accountability.
In an official statement, the department described the regulation as a step to improve security, transparency, and accountability, while increasing public confidence in law enforcement. The policy sets clear expectations for how officers should use body cameras and how footage should be handled in critical moments.
Under the rules, officers are required to wear body cameras whenever they are on duty and interacting with the public. The policy also addresses when video can be broadcast or shared, especially during events deemed serious, such as those involving injury or death.
The initiative was developed by a task force appointed last year by the Home Secretary and led by a senior deputy secretary. The goal is to strengthen the bond between security personnel and the communities they serve by ensuring consistent, accountable policing practices.
In recent years, a number of high-profile cases of police violence have become widely known through footage captured by bystanders and, in several instances, by body cameras worn by officers. The public interest in such recordings has driven calls for greater transparency and reform across multiple jurisdictions.
One widely cited incident involved the death of a young man in Chicago after a confrontation with police. In that case, video evidence showed the individual raising his hands with no obvious threat before the encounter escalated. The new regulations emphasize the importance of accurate, non-biased documentation of use-of-force events.
The policy mandates body camera use for all officers patrolling or engaging with civilians, with minimum requirements for recording and sharing footage from events that result in serious injury or death. On the handling side, officers may not employ certain restraint techniques, and the policy clarifies that force leading to serious harm is subject to strict review.
When it comes to home entries without prior notice, the policy allows such actions only if there is an imminent threat of physical violence toward the officer or another person in need of assistance. Any unannounced search or entry must be approved by the first and second-in-command and an assistant district attorney before proceeding.
These reforms are framed as a balanced approach to public safety, civil rights, and officer safety. By documenting each encounter with clear video records and a transparent review process, the policy intends to reduce ambiguities and support fair, lawful policing across communities.