Body Worn Cameras

Ref: FOI/23052

RE: FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000 REQUEST

West Midlands Fire Service has now completed its search for the information requested on 11th April 2023

Please find below a summary of our findings.

Request.

1. Which departments in your Fire Brigade/Service use Body Worn Cameras/Videos (BWC/BWV) and is this part of a pilot programme or has this been adopted on a permanent basis?

Reply
Currently none, we used to have BWV at all stations available for the officers of appliances to utilise. These became outdated and were no longer fit for purpose so have been taken out of service. We are currently in the process of identifying and trialling alternative BWV for future use.

Request

2. How many BWC/BWV has your Fire Service/Brigade purchased over the last 3 years?

Reply
None

Request

3. Who is the portfolio lead for the purchase, deployment and maintenance of BWC/BWV in your Fire Brigade/Service?

Reply
• With regards for the contact details portfolio lead for the purchase, WMFS operates a single point of contact policy and callers are directed to the appropriate contract manager via HQ general contacts on 0330 058 9000. The call will be directed and allocated to the specialist with responsibility for the specific service.
• There is a direct email address for suppliers making sales enquires email: procurement.enquires@wmfs.net. Furthermore, guidance from the Information Commissioner’s Office is as follows:
• The presumption is in favour of protecting privacy, so the release of personal information will only be fair if there is a genuine reason to disclose. This involves a three-stage test. A public authority will generally have to satisfy itself that:
• There is a legitimate interest in disclosure;
• The legitimate interest can only be met, or fully met, by the disclosure of information which identifies individuals (i.e. the disclosure is necessary to that purpose); and, the disclosure would not involve unwarranted detriment to the individual’s privacy or other rights and legitimate interests.
• You can find out more about FOI exemptions from the Information Commissioner's Office. This will explain which one or more of the FOI exemptions applies, and tell you how to appeal if you disagree with our decision

Request
If you do not currently have BWC/BWV, does your Fire Brigade/Service propose to introduce BWC/BWV, and if so who would be responsible for this?

Reply
Yes, we are looking to trial a number of devices and understand when and how these will be used and by whom.

• However, with regards for the responsible person, WMFS operates a single point of contact policy and callers are directed to the appropriate contract manager via HQ general contacts on 0330 058 9000. The call will be directed and allocated to the specialist with responsibility for the specific service.
• There is a direct email address for suppliers making sales enquires email: procurement.enquires@wmfs.net. Furthermore, guidance from the Information Commissioner’s Office is as follows:
• The presumption is in favour of protecting privacy, so the release of personal information will only be fair if there is a genuine reason to disclose. This involves a three-stage test. A public authority will generally have to satisfy itself that:
• There is a legitimate interest in disclosure;
• The legitimate interest can only be met, or fully met, by the disclosure of information which identifies individuals (i.e. the disclosure is necessary to that purpose); and, the disclosure would not involve unwarranted detriment to the individual’s privacy or other rights and legitimate interests.
• You can find out more about FOI exemptions from the Information Commissioner's Office. This will explain which one or more of the FOI exemptions applies, and tell you how to appeal if you disagree with our decision

Request

5. What is the process for procuring your BWC/BWV?

Reply
Once suitable specifications have been identified a procurement process will be implemented. This will be overseen by the procurement department but run by the key stakeholders.

If you have any queries about this freedom of information request, please contact us. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

For service complaints, issues or comments regarding this request please contact The Public Relations Department, West Midlands Fire Service, 99 Vauxhall Road, Birmingham, B7 4HW

Further information concerning Freedom of Information requests can be found on the Information Commissioner website at either the following link: https://ico.org.uk/ or at Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AF.