Rotorua parking wardens now wearing body cameras

Parking wardens in Rotorua will now wear body cameras, following a successful trial.

Rotorua Lakes Council transport and waste solutions director Stavros Michael said the council had purchased eight cameras for parking enforcement officers, following a two-week trial in June.

"Our wardens were happy with how the miniature cameras worked during the trial and we are now working on getting the system up and running."

Mr Michael said keeping staff safe was a priority and the bodycams were another form of protection - letting people know they were being filmed.

"People are generally supportive of parking staff so incidents involving confrontations or verbal abuse are infrequent."

However, sometimes people did get upset and situations could escalate so the cameras acted as a deterrent, he said.

The miniature cameras, which cost a total of $4000, are attached to clothing. Parking wardens will be able to choose whether to record their entire day or just incidents.

Benefits of video cameras
• Defuse aggressive behaviour
• Hold those responsible to account
• Provide clear evidence in the case of disputes