2 May 2016

Dunedin considers cameras to keep council workers safe

4:57 pm on 2 May 2016

Dunedin's parking wardens have begun trialling a body camera intended to deter hostile drivers.

The city council is following a growing number of councils, including those of Wellington, Christchurch and Hamilton, which are using the recording devices to protect parking officers and animal control staff.

The camera would be worn all the time and switched on by the warden if trouble began.

Dunedin City Council customer and regulatory services manager Adrian Blair said parking officers were getting more and more verbal threats and occasional assaults, and the trail would see if cameras could reduce that trend.

Mr Blair said cameras seemed to be working well at other councils.

He said if the trial was successful, the council would consider extending the cameras to its animal services staff.