Page 2408 - Week 07 - Thursday, 4 August 2022
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
monitoring, resource management, emergency response and criminal investigations and prosecutions.
As part of implementing the policy, directorates and territory authorities who operate CCTV systems must develop and maintain plans and procedures that align with the policy and are specific to the needs and use of CCTV systems under their control. The ACT government uses CCTV to monitor its operations and protect its assets, as well as to support the safe delivery of major public events. The policy supports the ACT government’s ongoing work that ensures CCTV capabilities across government keep pace with emerging technology and our city’s evolving public safety needs.
All Canberrans have the right to feel safe as they move about and engage with the ACT’s public spaces, venues and events. That is why it is important to ensure that the ACT government’s network of CCTV systems is robust and fit for purpose. Investment in CCTV technology is one way to enhance the safety and security of public places whilst also supporting law enforcement with a faster means of investigation and prosecution of crime.
In 2020-21 the ACT’s public safety CCTV network was utilised on 939 occasions that resulted in 471 ACT Policing dispatches from CCTV monitoring, up 222 per cent on the previous period. These statistics reassure government that there is an ongoing need to maintain a comprehensive CCTV network that aligns with the government’s commitment to ensure that Canberra remains a safe, vibrant and cohesive society.
The Justice and Community Safety Directorate operates the public safety CCTV network, which is a network of interconnected CCTV systems located in public areas and venues across Canberra. The network provides live and recorded footage for the purposes of making Canberra a safer place and bringing those responsible for crime to justice. Through the CCTV policy, the ACT government is prioritising the governance and transparency of the use of CCTV camera systems, in line with the growth of the network’s capability and connectiveness.
Under the policy, where a CCTV system is connected to the network, directorates must develop project proposals for new CCTV installations that clearly articulate the purpose of each CCTV system, prior to installation. In addition, the project proposal must identify ongoing and maintenance costs and demonstrate the consideration of privacy and human rights obligations.
Directorates may install and operate a CCTV system for a variety of reasons, including crime deterrence; investigation and evidence to support criminal proceedings; asset monitoring and security; access control monitoring; public safety and/or event monitoring; enhancing the response to and management of incidents and emergencies; regulatory enforcement and evidence for use in court proceedings; training, education and community engagement purposes; and traffic, vehicle and parking management.
There are some CCTV systems in operation that are exempt from the policy. For directorates and territory authorities that are exempt, their CCTV systems are managed under independent jurisdiction or under legislation specific to their
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video