Various transport groups in favor of equipping MMDA enforcers with body cams

The Metropolitan Development Authority (MMDA) is getting tons of support from various transport groups, stakeholders, the public transport sector, and other law enforcement agencies to proceed with the use of body-worn cameras for its traffic enforcers. 

Body cameras are not new in the world of law enforcement. In other countries like the United States, body cameras help promote transparency and accountability. Traffic violation apprehensions can get quite messy at times but this additional layer can serve the public transport sector well. 

The MMDA’s Acting Chairman, Atty. Don Artes, presented the drafted rules on the use of body-worn cameras for traffic enforcers, as well as the procedures for flagging down motorists. 

Body cameras may violate a motorist’s right to privacy, but a procedure is drafted just in case the right is invoked. If motorists object, the MMDA enforcers will be trained to address the concern, the details of which are drafted in the procedures. 

Aside from that, comments and suggestions are being fielded by Artes which will all be taken into consideration before the official and full implementation of this effort. All comments and suggestions will be consolidated and presented to the Metro Manila Council (MMC), the MMDA’s governing and policy-making body—comprised of 17 Metro Manila mayors. 

The body cameras will feature audio and visual recording capabilities, which will protect both enforcers and motorists in the event of an apprehension. The cameras are designed to capture and record the conduct of either party. These devices will have between six to eight hours of battery life. 

For its first run, 120 body cameras will be deployed and distributed to traffic enforcers with the authority to issue tickets.