Police video victim statements under new pilot
Wed 02 Dec 2015
New Zealand Police in Palmerston North will record family violence victims' statements using their iPhone 6+ as part of a new pilot project. The ...
New Zealand Police in Palmerston North will record family violence victims' statements using their iPhone 6+ as part of a new pilot project.
The pilot, set to run for four months, builds upon feedback from frontline officers during a series of nationwide workshops to improve policing. The video statements will be used to investigate and prosecute family violence incidents, with potential benefits of reduced recanted statements, court time and earlier guilty pleas. The use of digital evidence is also hoped to improve Police productivity by reducing time spent on written statements.
Justice Minister Amy Adams said "It will never be easy for a victim of family violence to face their abuser or to have to repeat their experience so it’s important we find ways to provide additional support to victims during this difficult process. The intent of this pilot is to provide a better service to victims of family violence and this aligns with initiatives the Government already has underway to improve the way we address family violence, better support victims and hold offenders to account."
The pilot will conclude on 31 March 2016 and will be evaluated to inform the next steps. Justice sector agencies, the Ministry of Justice, Corrections and the Judiciary have been involved in the pilot development.
Media
Video trial to benefit victims, Police TenOne, Issue No. 398, December 2015
Family violence victim video statements piloted, NZ Law Society, 01.12.2015
Palmerston North cops trial video statement, 3 News, 01.12.2015
Family violence statements to be recorded by police at scene, Stuff, 01.12.2015
Police to record victim statements on iPhones, Wireless Watch NZ, 01.12.2015
Police trialling iPhone video statements at domestic abuse callouts, Stuff, 01.12.2015
Palmy cops to trial video statement, NZCity, 01.12.2015
Green light for initiative to continue, Manawatu Standard, 10.09.2015
Better by design, Police TenOne, Issue 394, August 2015
Image: Pixabay