These police bodycams will soon become as common a sight as an officer’s radio or handcuffs.

The body-worn cameras are being introduced for TT for uniformed officers patrolling Douglas but will then be rolled-out island-wide.

They will be used to provide high-quality evidence gathering for a wide range of incidents.

The cameras will display an image on the screen when they are recording, and also show a bright flashing red light.

Sergeant Gareth John said the project to choose the best quality and value cameras has been going for around 18 months and the Reveal Media D3 cameras were chosen following a successful tender and trial process with officers carrying out extensive testing.

He said: ’We’ve currently got 24 cameras available which will be distributed to police headquarters primarily for use by officers policing Douglas over the TT period. However there are a further 36 that will be distributed throughout the island and a variety of policing roles after TT.

’They will become as common a sight as an officer’s radio or handcuffs and they have been deployed internationally with great success.’

Listing the benefits, Sergeant John said they would provide high quality capture of evidence. He said: ’Police officers witness and describe what they see every day. And although the phrase "a picture paints a thousand words" does hit the spot, high resolution video with audio is better, in terms of evidence.’

First-hand footage also removes any ambiguity as to a version of events, he said.

Sergeant John said: ’We all see in the courts each week conflicting versions of events. Routine use of body worn video can cut those arguments short, leading to better efficiency.’

He added: ’Police officers welcome transparency when it comes to the work they do.

’The cameras display a flashing light and an image on the screen when they are actively recording, officers are trained to give a verbal warning when it’s active.

’The cameras won’t routinely be recording unless the officer takes action, which will include an assessment that it’s necessary, lawful and proportionate to record.

’The message on social media has been overwhelming in terms of support for the cameras, and we aim to use them to further our aim of keeping people safe.’