RDG & BTP Body Worn Video Industry Adoption Project

Our Ref: HSR/2/2
Head Office Circular: NP/6/22
7th January 2022
To: The Secretary
ALL BRANCHES
REGIONAL COUNCILS

Dear Colleague,

RDG & BTP BODY WORN VIDEO INDUSTRY ADOPTION PROJECT

I write to inform you that your National Executive Committee (NEC) met on 6th January 2022, to consider a report from its Health and Safety sub-committee, from when it met to discuss briefing documents relating to a project aimed at encouraging the greater use of body worn video (BWV) across the rail industry. This joint project from Rail Delivery Group (RDG) and British Transport Police (BTP) is aimed at encouraging the use of BWV as one of the key tools to prevent violence against rail staff.

The report adopted by the NEC is as follows:

We welcome this joint project by RDG and BTP which aims to “provide nationwide level guidance, best practice, and support to train operating companies (TOCs) to maximize the effectiveness of BWV use”.

Given this we instruct the General Secretary to write to project organisers to explain that RMT will support the project. But advising that that RMT policy https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/publications/union-body-cams-policy-2020/
on body worn video must be followed and that employers must have policies and procedures, agreed with the trade union, detailing how BWV will be allocated to staff and detailed statements on how the equipment is to be used and in what circumstances.

Branches and Regional Councils to be advised accordingly.

I am acting in accordance with these instructions. Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of relevant members.

Yours sincerely

Michael Lynch
General Secretary