Body cameras: Conectas denounces dismantling of the “Olho Vivo” program at the UN
Organization highlights at the United Nations Human Rights Council that measures by the São Paulo government threaten the reduction of police lethality and the protection of officers
Câmeras corporais no uniforme de PMs. Foto: Rovena Rosa/ Agência Brasil
Conectas denounced the dismantling of the “Olho Vivo” program on Wednesday (26) at the UN Human Rights Council. This program introduced the use of cameras on the uniforms of Military Police officers in the state of São Paulo. It was created in 2020 and is known to have significantly reduced police lethality and deaths among on-duty officers. Despite the positive results, the program has come under constant attack from the current state government.
A recent public notice released proposals that represent a setback in security policy. The most significant changes were the reduction in video storage time and the manual activation of recording by the police officer or remotely by the Military Police command center which compromise the transparency and effectiveness of the program.
During their speech at the UN, Conectas stressed the importance of upholding the original guidelines of “Olho Vivo” in order to guarantee the protection of lives. The organization emphasized that since its implementation, the program has been essential in controlling police lethality and protecting the police officers themselves, as well as contributing to building trust in law enforcement.
Conectas also warned about the dangers of current proposals that suggest the use of facial recognition technology, which can increase racial bias and compromise citizens’ privacy. According to the organization, it is essential that the Brazilian state ensure the widespread continued implementation of the program, guaranteeing automatic recording and independent data storage, as well as strict accountability for non-compliance.
“It is urgent that the Brazilian state, particularly the state of São Paulo, maintain the guidelines that ensure the control of police lethality and the protection of police officers. These measures are essential in protecting lives and building trust in law enforcement.” Stated Conectas in its speech at the UN.
The use of body cameras for police officers to capture footage during interactions has been advocated by public security and human rights experts. One of the main advantages is the reduction of police lethality during these interactions due to the use of the equipment. Another important point is the increased safety that the equipment offers to the officers themselves. A study published in May 2023 by the Brazilian Forum on Public Security shows that in São Paulo, there was a 62.7% reduction in deaths resulting from interventions by on-duty military police officers – the majority (76.2%) in battalions participating in the body cam program. Deaths among on-duty police officers in São Paulo also decreased by 62.7% in the state – from 697 deaths in 2019 to 260 in 2022, according to a study by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Brazilian Forum on Public Security.
