CCTV with recording capacity? No use having CCTV in police lock-ups and interogation room if we cannot later review the recording

But the question is whether these CCTVs have recording capacity. When I was involved in an inquest, the police witness said that there was a CCTV but it did not have recording capacity. I wonder whether it is still the same, for without recording capacity, it is useless.

In Hong Kong, every movement of the suspect once arrested and brought to the police station is recorded, and if and when he is charged in court, a copy of the CCTV recording is furnished to the lawyer.

If there is recording capacity, it would be much easier for the courts to determine whether there was torture or police brutality. It would be easier to determine whether persons in police lock-ups killed themselves. It would easier to determine whether an arrestee was sick - and the police was negligent in sending him to hospital.

A recording of the lock-up, interrogation room, in fact every room in the police station  would deter police wrong-doings.

In fact, let us get every police on duty to have CCTV that would record all his movement/interaction whilst on duty. This surely would reduce corruption and ensure that our police is always doing as what is required by law.

 

Minister: CCTV in 316 lock-ups

Bernama 11:58PM Jul 3, 2013

A total of 316 police lock-ups and 50 interrogation rooms have been installed with closed circuit television (CCTV), said Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

"The CCTV installations in lock-ups were started since 2002 while the interrogation rooms were started in 2011," he said in a written answer to Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut) at the Dewan Rakyat today.

Lip Eng had queried on the number of lock-ups and interrogation rooms which had been fitted with CCTVs, when they were installed and the cost involved.

Installation costs depended on the tender and offer price implemented by each police contingent based on their individual requirements, he said.

To another question by Nurul Izzah Anwar (PKR-Lembah Pantai), Minister in Prime Minister's Department Shahidan Kassim said in a written reply
that the government was prepared to amend Section 2A of the Official Secrets Act (Amended 1986) if the need arose.

He said the minister may from time to time, add to, delete from or amend any of the provisions of the schedules, by an order published in the Gazette.

- Bernama - Malaysiakini, 3/7/2013, Minister: CCTV in 316 lock-ups