A spokesperson for the Marine Department (MD) said today (June 30) that starting from tomorrow (July 1), frontline officers of the Harbour Patrol Section in all districts of the department will fully use body-worn video cameras to more effectively assist in investigations and enhance their ability to collect evidence when performing their duties in Hong Kong waters, as well as to record on-site sea situations during major events at sea to ensure marine safety.

     Between January and June this year, the MD conducted a field trial in the waters around Victoria Harbour to evaluate the effectiveness of using body-worn video cameras. The evaluation of the test results showed that frontline officers' use of body-worn video cameras in discharging their duties can help enhance the capability and accuracy of evidence collection, providing practical information for future investigations. It can also enable frontline officers to discharge their duties in a more effective manner.

     To optimise the use of body-worn video cameras, the MD has formulated the relevant guidelines. When carrying out their duties, the MD frontline officers are required to wear uniforms and mount the body-worn video cameras in a conspicuous position on their bodies. They should give any person concerned reasonable and public advance notice before commencing the recording as far as practicable.

     The MD takes all necessary steps to comply with the requirements of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486) when handling the collected personal data. Any video footage that carries no investigative or evidential value, or that constitutes no other legitimate purpose, will be deleted 31 days after the date it was recorded, to ensure that no excessive personal data are kept.

     For data access requests relating to any person who has been video-recorded, please visit the MD's website.

Ends/Monday, June 30, 2025
Issued at HKT 15:30

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