The police regularly attend health crises and assist with admissions in hospitals across the country. People may be detained for mental health reasons while also having serious physical health conditions. Body cameras are not always activated, which may leave gaps in accountability and protection.
We call on the Government to mandate all police officers to wear body cameras for all health-related detentions, including hospital admissions, to protect families, NHS staff and officers. Recordings could improve transparency, support complaints investigations and promote safer, more empathetic responses. National guidance should ensure consistent use, training and oversight relating to body cameras across forces.