
PARAMARIBO - The Police Force Suriname (KPS) will introduce bodycams or Body-Worn Cameras (BWCs) soon.

Justice and Police Minister Harish Monorath confirmed that there are currently 50 bodycams at the disposal of the police force but that a licensing fee must be paid before they can become fully operational.
“We are still looking for $7,000,” said Minister Monorath. Meanwhile the Justice and Police Ministry is preparing to purchase one thousand bodycams. The bodycam project will be carried out in association with Huawei. Minister Monorath pointed out that the president has instructed him to hand in additional projects so that financing can be found via funds from donors. He explained that the bodycams are of big importance to the operations of the police. “Those bodycams are needed. They can work for two days before they have to be recharged. When the police officers are on duty, they will be obligated to turn their bodycam on.” The bodycam project will be linked to the Safe City Camera System. “The bodycam is also connected to the Safe City cameras,” said Minister Monorath who explained that this makes it easier to identify and track down suspects. The bodycams will also make it possible to determine the location of police officers in real time so that they be given deployed faster and more effectively.

