A revised Standard Operating Procedure mandates use of body worn...

A revised Standard Operating Procedure mandates use of body worn cameras with audio-video recording for uniformed Customs officers engaged in passenger interface and baggage clearance at NSCBI Airport, Kolkata. Officers must activate the camera for the entire duration of passenger interaction and baggage examination and courteously inform passengers that recording is in progress. The SOP prescribes requirements for deployment, handling, secure transfer, encrypted storage, controlled access, monitoring, retention and retrieval of recordings, and establishes supervisory controls, accountability mechanisms, and data security and privacy safeguards; tampering, deletion, or unauthorised access is prohibited. Where cameras cannot be used due to operational exigencies, reasons must be recorded and verified by the supervisory officer. The SOP takes immediate effect and requires strict compliance.