Concerning admissibility of dash camera footage

Summary

The requester asked if the Isle of Man Constabulary accepts dash camera footage of traffic offences from the public. The authority confirmed that while no specific policy document exists, such footage is considered on a case-by-case basis if it meets evidence standards and prosecution thresholds.

Key Facts

• No specific records or documents regarding a formal policy on accepting dash camera footage were found.
• The Constabulary evaluates dash camera evidence on a case-by-case basis.
• Footage must meet standards of evidence and prosecution thresholds to be considered.
• Acceptable footage typically requires an accurate time and date stamp.
• Authentication of the equipment is required to ensure the footage is reliable and untampered.
• The final decision on the veracity and weight of the evidence lies with the Attorney General's Chambers and the Courts.

Data Disclosed

• 2017-03-23
• 2017-03-24
• 22nd March 2017
• 24th March 2017
• IM82087I
• 353857
• 2 pages
• 1 document
• IM2 4RG

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

MEOIRYN SHEE-ELLAN VANNIN

ISLE OF MAN CONSTABULARY Freedom of Information

24th March 2017

Our Ref: IM82087I

Dear Mr

I write in connection with your request for information dated 22nd March 2017 which was received by this office on 23rd March 2017. I note you seek access to the following information:

Please advise if the Isle of Man Constabulary would accept dash camera footage of bad driving and/or traffic offences from the general public for action to be taken?

This is to inform you that I cannot identify any specific records or documents held by the Isle of Man Constabulary that will satisfy your request based on the details that you have provided.

To locate the information relevant to your request, searches were conducted within the Roads Policing Department.

The Roads Policing Department have confirmed that “Please advise if the Isle of Man Constabulary would accept dash camera footage of bad driving and/or traffic offences from the general public for action to be taken?” is not held.

However, in cases involving dash camera footage the Constabulary, as in all cases, views the evidence on a case by case basis. If it meets standards of evidence and is of sufficient quality to adequately meet prosecution thresholds it may be considered as evidence. In the case of dash camera footage this also typically means that the footage would require an accurate time and date stamp and some authentication concerning the equipment being used to ensure that it is reliable, not been tampered with and so on. It is a matter for the Attorney Generals Chambers and the Isle of Man Courts as to the voracity of that evidence and its contributory weight in respect of prosecution matters. There is no “bar” to receiving dash camera footage per se.

Should you have any further inquiries concerning this matter, please contact me quoting my reference number as above.

Yours sincerely

Freedom of Information Officer

Your right to request a review If you are unhappy with this response to your Freedom of Information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post to The Freedom of Information Officer, Isle of Man Constabulary, Dukes Avenue, Douglas, IM2 4RG. An electronic version and paper version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.
If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1 Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act; or 2 Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.

In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your rights to review is on the Information Commissioner’s website at: https://www.inforights.im/ Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about Freedom of Information requests can be found https://www.gov.im/about-the-government/freedom-of-information/