Major rule change for thousands of Aussie police officers after independent review

Published: 14:58, 5 August 2026 | Updated: 15:03, 5 August 2026 Thousands of NSW Police officers must now wear and use a body-worn camera during operational policing duties. The major rule change, which came into effect on Wednesday, requires all officers to activate cameras, unless reasonably impracticable. This includes when exercising police powers, using a tactical option involving force, or when they are a passenger or observer in a police pursuit.  Officers who fail to comply will be required to explain their reasons in writing.   The updated policy, which tells officers that 'when the job's on, switch on', follows a Law Enforcement Conduct Commission's (LECC) review into body-worn cameras within NSW Police. NSW Law Enforcement Conduct Commission Chief Commissioner Peter Johnson SC backed the 'important' rule change. 'The mandatory use of body worn cameras by police officers is a very important development in policing in NSW,' he said.  'The knowledge that interactions between police and community members are being recorded helps to keep both the officer and the community safe.  'The use of body worn cameras also promotes officer accountability by enabling NSW Police and the commission to effectively scrutinise officers' actions where there are allegations of police misconduct.  NSW Police officers must now wear and use a body worn camera during operational policing duties in a huge rule change implemented across the state The camera needs to be activated, unless reasonably impracticable, including when they are exercising their police power, using a tactical option involving force, or when they are a passenger or observer in a police pursuit 'The consistent and routine use of body worn cameras should therefore increase public confidence in NSW Police Force.' The LECC's report comes after an ABC Four Corners investigation revealed that multiple serious police incidents occurred where available body‑worn cameras weren't activated.  NSW Police has implemented most of the 15 recommendations mentioned in the report.  Before the change, NSW and Western Australia were the only two states where activating body-worn cameras was at officers' discretion. NSW Police have been using body-worn cameras since 2013. A 2020 statutory review of the Surveillance Devices Act 2007 found that the technology offered significant benefits.  The review found they were associated with a lower incidence and escalation of violence, reduced paperwork and increased patrol time.  '[There are also] lower complaints against police officers, increased time and cost savings in complaint management investigations, earlier resolution of cases through guilty pleas, and improved accountability of both police and the public,' the review stated.