— Media Release – 6th March 2025 —
Police Bodycam Recommendation endorsed by Mental Health Consumer Peak
BEING – Mental Health Consumers has come out in full support of the recommendation to Parliament by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) that NSW Police should “require police officers to activate Body-Worn Video (BWV) when using statutory powers, or when it is likely that an interaction may lead to the exercise of statutory powers.”
One of the cases examined during the review was the death of 41 yr old Steven Pampalian in 2023 who was shot dead by a police officer while in crisis. The police officer involved had their bodycam turned off when the fatal shot was fired.
Mr Pampalian is just one of 52 people who died at the hands of the police in the 5 years to June 2023 whilst experiencing a mental health crisis.
“This is a welcome, if long overdue recommendation,” said Giancarlo de Vera, CEO of BEING – Mental Health Consumers (BEING), NSW’s peak body for mental health consumers. “We should be using all available technology to ensure police accountability in situations where they have the power to use lethal force.”
“But what consumers really need is action from the government to put in place an alternative to police responding to mental health crisis. BEING, the people we represent, the Police Federation and even NSW Police themselves have all agreed police should not be first responders in the majority of mental health responses as their presence can escalate the situation. This has been under discussion for at least 18 months and it’s time to put a better system in place.”
Judy Deacon, mother of Jesse Deacon who was shot by police responding to a welfare callout in July 2023, also welcomed the LECC’s recommendation. “Police BWV footage should be made available to the public immediately, with permission. It shouldn’t be restricted until after an investigation is complete. The impact of this kind of video is enormous and would reinforce the benefits of introducing an alternative mental health option when calling OOO. This could help de-escalate someone in crisis and save lives.”