Eradicating Malicious Complaints... Gwanak-gu Introduces Wearable Cameras

Published 03 Apr.2023 07:50(KST)

Updated 03 Apr.2023 17:03(KST)

Gwanak-gu Officially Introduces ‘Wearable Cam’ to Protect Civil Petition Officers

Creating a Safe Working Environment for Civil Petition Officers with Portable Video Recording Equipment ‘Wearable Cam’

A total of 45 units to be introduced this year at community service centers, with prior notice to petitioners before audio recording and filming

Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Junhee) will introduce portable video recording equipment called ‘wearable cam’ starting in April to protect civil petition officers from malicious petitioners.

The ‘wearable cam’ is a necklace-type camera that can record audio and simultaneously film both front and rear views, protecting civil petition officers in cases of verbal abuse, assault, or other illegal acts by petitioners.

According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety last year, illegal acts such as verbal abuse and assault by petitioners are gradually increasing. In response, the district established the ‘Seoul Gwanak-gu Civil Petition Handling Officer Portable Protective Equipment Operation Guidelines’ in March this year and has begun to strongly protect civil petition officers and eradicate malicious petitioners.

Gwanak-gu Office Civil Service Center

A total of 45 wearable cams will be introduced this year and primarily distributed to community service centers, the Gwanak-gu Office civil petition office, and public-facing departments such as parking, welfare, and taxation. The district plans to review expansion based on effectiveness in the future.

Additionally, to protect petitioners’ personal information, the district will notify them before and after recording and conduct user training to thoroughly manage and prevent any infringement of petitioners’ rights or disadvantages.

The district expects that the introduction of wearable cams will not only protect civil petition officers but also help establish a fair civil petition handling culture based on law and principles.

Mayor Park Junhee stated, “Illegal acts such as verbal abuse and assault cause anxiety not only to civil petition officers but also to other petitioners and can delay petition processing, causing many inconveniences. We will continue to strive to provide more friendly and stable public services to residents in a safe working environment for our staff.”