UAP Law organized virtual seminar on ‘Benefits and Challenges of Using Body Worn Cameras by Police’

Department of Law & Human Rights, University of Asia Pacific organized a virtual seminar on ‘Benefits and Challenges of Using Body Worn Cameras by Police’. The event took place on 21st May 2023 from 7:30 pm to 8:35 pm. Dr. Ashley K. Farmer, Associate Professor of the Department of Criminal Justice Sciences, Illinois State University, USA was the Keynote Speaker of the event. Dr. Farmer reflected on the beginning of the use of BWC in the US and how does the use of BWC contribute to reducing complaints, reducing police use of force, increasing police accountability, and increase in the public trust on police. She also mentioned that the cost of using of BWC and privacy of both citizens and police are the major challenges.

Mr. Md. Munibur Rahman, Deputy Inspector General, Bangladesh Police and Additional Police Commissioner (Traffic), Dhaka Metropolitan Police was special guest and informed that around 70% of the police use BWC in traffic division of DMP. He highlighted that there are benefits of using BWC that includes evidence, accountability, increase of public trust on police. In using the BWC, police department also facing challenges involving the low capacity of the devices.

Mr. Md. Nazmul Haque, former Additional Inspector General, Bangladesh Police, and former Rector, Police Staff College, was chief guest of the event and briefly discussed about the use of BWC in Bangladesh.

Departmental faculty members and students participated in the seminar. The seminar was moderated by Ms. Azizun Nahar, Assistant Professor and inaugurated by welcome speech of Prof. Dr. M. A. Baqui Khalily, Acting Dean, School of Law, UAP and Mr. Md. Abdur Rahim, Head of the Department of Law and Human Rights of UAP. Dr. M. Alauddin, Chairman, Board of Trustees of University of Asia Pacific appreciated the initiative for organizing the seminar and reassured the UAP’s goal of engaging in research in emerging issues. Prof. Dr. Qumrul Ahsan, Vice Chancellor of University of Asia Pacific encouraged the faculty members and students to do research on the topic and conveyed vote of thanks to the speakers, guests, and the audience.