Kamerabevakning i polisarrest : Ökad trygghet för polisanställda och förvarstagna?

Sammanfattning: During the past five years around 25 people have died in police arrests in Sweden. There is a need for improved medical assessment and supervision for the persons kept in custody, as the police may find it difficult to meet their needs. In Helsingborg, a pilot project concerning camera surveillance in storage facilities for sobriety and arrest cells, is being conducted in order to reduce the risk of self-harm and suicide. The purpose of the camera surveillance is to make the arrest safer, for both inmates and staff. This is a qualitative interview study with the personnel that handle the inmates on a daily basis, through supervision and security assessments. This study finds that the camera surveillance contributes greatly to a better work environment and increased security for police personnel. The camera surveillance makes it possible for the staff to have constant supervision of the inmate, without being physically close to the inmate and thereby infringing on his or her personal space. The personnel can intervene faster if the need occurs. Other advantages with the camera surveillance that favor the inmates are the greatly increased opportunities to keep clothes and blankets. This provides a more dignified stay, for the individual. The personnel experience that the number of incidents is reduced among the inmates, because of the camera surveillance. Some say that the incidents are the same, but the difference is that the personnel have time to perceive and intervene at an earlier stage and thereby prevent, or change the situation for the inmate. But it seems clear that mental illness and self-harm is a growing problem, that have increased recently.  This confirms that camera surveillance in storage facilities, in the police arrest, may be the right way for the Swedish police in the future.