This follows the successful testing of the initiative through a partnership with ‘Axon’, an international technology company to launch the pilot project in March 2019.

"The current budget listed for 2020 is $18,587,800 will provide the force with the opportunity of course with a range of initiatives and continued advancement of their capabilities as we continue our recovery," deliberations of the 2020 Standing Finance Committee on policing revealed.

Crime on Decline - CoP Matthews

According to the Commissioner of Police, the force has seen continued decline of crime over the past year and detections continued to increase in the force.

"At the end of October, it was at 54% and at the same time...they had seen a 5% reduction in overall crime which was on the back of a 9% per cent reduction in the previous year..." the report noted.

He said the force will be increasing at a rate of 15 constables per year for 3 years, an initiative that started since 2018.

"We are on target to do that and await an additional $1,133,000 to be added to the budget for 15 growth posts in 2020 which will then bring the force number/statistics to 275 regular officers and 21 auxiliary officers," the commissioner revealed.

UK funding for cameras

As part of the force's advancements, Cop Matthews indicated they are seeking new spends for essential equipment which includes 50 protective vests at $22,430 and $100,680 for body-worn cameras.

The cost of the body cameras will come via split funding with the UK paying half of the cost following a successful pilot project earlier in the year.

The 2020 SFC deliberations were held between November 20 and 29, 2019 at the Office of the House of Assembly in Road Town, Tortola.