CCTV Monitoring Scheme

Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) has proved to be a useful tool to deter and detect crime. However, if misused, it can have a negative impact on public confidence.
Sussex Police Authority feels it is in the public interest to have an effective independent oversight of the public place CCTV that is managed by Sussex Police in the County.

The Independent CCTV Monitoring Scheme will be, we believe, the first of its kind in the country. The Authority has appointed a Lead Member for the Scheme and oversight of the Scheme will be performed by the Authority's Professional Standards Committee.

Volunteers, initially 12, have been selected from an existing "pool" of volunteers who currently work as Independent Custody Visitors. After 6 months, a further recruitment drive will be launched with a view to attracting volunteers from a diverse background, including young people.

The Scheme will be officially launched on 16 March 2010. The Chairman of Sussex Police Authority together with Inspector Roger Fox and a representative from the newly recruited CCTV Monitoring Scheme volunteers will be attending.

Full training is scheduled to take place at Brighton Police Station (John Street) on Friday 19 March. This training will cover a basic knowledge of the new digital CCTV system and the working practices employed within the Sussex Police CCTV unit. This will include the key terms of the Data Protection Act and Human Rights legislation, as applicable to the operational use of CCTV. It will also provide an overview of the Sussex CCTV partnership and the role of Sussex Police in regard to that.

Once the Scheme becomes fully operational, there will be an opportunity to have an annual review meeting to consider the strengths and weaknesses of the Independent CCTV Monitoring Scheme, future development of the Scheme and any other issues brought to the attention of the Authority by the CCTV Monitoring Visitors.

The PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS COMMITTEE is a public meeting that has a broad remit that includes the oversight of complaints handling relating to officers and staff within the Force and the Authority, the management of the Sussex Independent Custody Visiting Scheme and the Independent CCTV Monitoring Scheme.