The number of video cameras in police patrol vehicles will almost double as part of a hi-tech overhaul.
Victoria Police plans to replace its ageing camera system — now almost a decade old.
The cameras, which could be linked with other systems, such as automated numberplate recognition, will be used to capture "unequivocal" evidence of driver behaviour and boost the safety of officers.
Tender documents reveal plans for up to 140 new digital in-car video systems to replace existing units and expand their use to all rural highway patrol and state highway patrol vehicles.
The cameras could be triggered manually or when lights or sirens are activated
"Victoria Police strives to lead the way in identifying, developing and introducing a range of the most effective road safety technologies," tender documents state.
The new in-car system will comprise two colour cameras — one looking forwards and the other rearwards — with at least standard definition resolution and a minimum 3x optical zoom lens.
It will also include at least one wireless microphone transmitter and paired receiver for officers, with a minimum range of 30m.
The cameras could be triggered manually or when lights or sirens are activated.
The force in 2006 deployed 78 in-car video systems to rural highway patrol vehicles, which comprise a similar camera set-up to the one sought.
"The current system has effectively reached the end of its service life and is becoming increasingly unreliable, both in terms of systems failure and evidence capture and the capacity for repair, with a diminishing supply of spares available," the tender document states.
In-car cameras have proved to be a key tool in increasing police safety and providing audio and visual corroboration of offences.
The contract will run for three years but could be extended to five years.
Vehicles fitted with the cameras will primarily be Holden Commodore SS sedans and wagons, though some Ford XR6 sedans and other vehicles may also get them.
The contract would begin in April next year.
