Government to allow bodycams for firefighters and public transport staff
The Federal Council of Ministers has approved a preliminary draft bill allowing the use of bodycams for services that face violence while carrying out their duties, including firefighters, security guards and events, and drivers and staff of public transport companies.
According to Interior minister Bernard Quintin, aggression in public spaces has increased in recent years. “Those who protect us and serve society must themselves be protected,” he said. “The expansion of bodycam use provides an additional tool to clearly establish who is responsible for what in the event of incidents or violence.”
The cameras will be activated when there is a risk of aggression or violence against individuals. The legislation provides safeguards regarding the protection of personal data, in accordance with European regulations, and footage will be stored for 30 to 90 days.
For firefighters, the draft also provides for assistance cameras that can be used during operations. These make it possible to guide personnel in real time during an operation, to ensure their safety and that of third parties, and to transmit images to a command post.
“Safety on public transport is one of our priorities and a necessary condition for guaranteeing everyone a peaceful and safe journey,” says federal Mobility minister Jean-Luc Crucke.
The proposal will now be submitted to the trade unions for negotiation and to the data protection authorities.
"Those who protect us and serve society must themselves be protected"
Several De Lijn staff and police officers were injured on Sunday evening during a brawl on the coastal tram during a ticket inspection in De Haan. Staff tried to stop a group of youths without tickets from running away and the situation escalated.
Flemish Mobility minister Annick De Ridder condemned the incident. “These are truly shocking images. What took place on the coastal tram is not ‘youthful mischief’, but downright despicable and criminal behaviour,” she said in a statement to Belga.
An STIB/MIVB ticket inspector in Brussels © BELGA PHOTO DAVID STOCKMAN
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