From September 2024, the SBB transport police will be using bodycams throughout Switzerland. The bodycams are intended to have a deescalating effect in conflicts and thus contribute to the safety of passengers and employees in public transport.
The transport police, with over 200 police officers, are deployed in public transport areas and on trains throughout Switzerland. In addition, they ensure safety and order in the railway environment at over 500 major events and sporting events every year (as of 2023). The safety of passengers and employees is the top priority.
Regular customer satisfaction surveys show that the feeling of security is higher in the railway environment than in other public spaces. The general security situation in trains and stations is stable throughout Switzerland. However, social developments do not stop at stations and trains.
In order to further increase the safety of customers and employees, the transport police will introduce body cameras for police officers from September 2024. Each patrol will be equipped with at least one body camera. A total of 100 body cameras will be purchased.
Use of bodycams
The use of this technology is an important step towards modernizing the equipment of police officers in their daily presence and intervention duties. Bodycams are used to deter potential perpetrators, de-escalate conflicts and, if necessary, record to secure evidence. The bodycam does not record continuously, but is activated by the transport police officers when an operation is required, which is clearly visible to the other person.
The police officers verbally announce the activation of the bodycam, if the situation allows. When activated, the three front LEDs flash red and a signal tone sounds. The person being checked can also request that the bodycam be activated.
Data backup and data protection
The recorded video data is saved on SBB servers in Switzerland. Only specialized transport police personnel have access to these recordings for evidentiary purposes.
Manual editing or deletion of the recordings is not possible. After 100 days, the data is automatically deleted unless the investigating authority issues an order to release the data. Every deletion is documented.
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