NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Royal Bahamas Police Force is a step closer to outfitting at least 200 police officers and patrol vehicles with body and dash cameras after the Ministry of National Security issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the camera systems and video storage solutions on Monday.
The deadline to submit proposals is March 25.
According to the RFP document, uploaded on the government’s web portal, the ministry has invited bidders to submit a proposal to provide 200 body-worn cameras, 200 dash cameras and video storage solution for the Force.
“The intent of this RFP is to acquire body-worn cameras for public safety use, which offer ease of use, functionality, recording and storage capabilities,” the RFP reads.
“Bidders potential will also be required to provide training on the use of body-worn camera and video storage solution…”
The government expects to make an announcement on the successful bidder by April 9 and execute an agreement by April 23.
According to the camera specifications requirements contained in the RFP, the government expects the body cameras to record audio, wide-angle video; have built-in Wifi and GPS; be waterproof and shockproof; location history tracking capabilities, and end-to-end encryption of all digital recordings.
Meanwhile, the dash cameras as expected to be offer night vision capabilities, wireless connectivity, and have a minimum of two cameras to record front and rear windows, among other requirements.
It has been proposed that the use of the technology will modernize law enforcement, and aid in further protecting officers and civilians.
Incidents of police-involved shootings last year prompted questions about the acquisition of body cameras.
There were 11 fatal police-involved shootings and nine non-fatal police-involved shootings last year.
Police Commissioner Anthony Ferguson’s policing plan for 2018 called for the acquisition of body cameras for officers and first responders.
His plan for 2019 has yet to be made public, but Ferguson has said much of the initiatives and strategies contained in the 2018 plan, including acquiring body cameras, is in the latest plan.
“A fundamental pillar of policing is public trust,” read the commissioner’s 2018 plan.
“Our behaviour, attitudes and actions must demonstrate we value our relationship with the community.
“There were incidents shared across social media where police officers committed actions in violation of our policies.
“This lack of professionalism placed us under heavy scrutiny.
“While these matters were swiftly resolved, the work ethic and professionalism of the Royal Bahamas Police Force were questioned.”
In January, Minister of National Security Marvin Dames foreshadowed that police officers will be wearing body cameras within the next three to four months.
Eyewitness News Online understands Bahamas-based Techadvanced Ltd. was among the vendors that supplied the police force and with body cameras and other equipment for testing last year.
The company also provided the Department of Immigration with body cameras, dash cameras and two-way radio communications systems for testing over a three-week period.
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