Overview
- The Metropolitan Police published a revised body‑worn video policy on Monday, May 25, 2026, committing to release more officer footage sooner where it can improve transparency and public confidence.
- The policy has already been used to publish a package of recent videos, including bodycam from the Golders Green knife arrest that was released within hours to challenge a critical online narrative.
- The new rules allow releases before criminal proceedings conclude when a 'necessary and proportionate' test is met and decision‑makers consider data protection, operational risk and any impact on future court cases.
- Senior leaders say the change aims to protect officers from selectively edited viral clips while also pledging to publish footage that shows mistakes so the force can be held accountable.
- The shift reverses a 2020 practice of routinely withholding footage until prosecutions ended and the Met cites polling showing higher trust after releases, a move that could change how policing is explained to the public and covered by media.