Live pics to help cops at crime scenes

Widow Harjinder Kaur is delighted technology may stop police delays like the one that cost her husband his life. Photo / Greg Bowker

The widow of slain liquor store owner Navtej Singh is delighted police attending critical incidents may soon have handheld devices streaming live pictures from the police helicopter.

The footage would also be streamed live to the force's Northern Communications Centre, meaning police co-ordinating pursuits, manhunts and major incidents can see the bigger picture.

The Independent Police Complaints Authority last month recommended police install the equipment, as part of its report on the death of Singh, who was shot at his South Auckland store in 2008. His business partner called 111, but it took 31 minutes for police to enter the store and another six before paramedics went in.

Emergency services weren't sure if the offenders were still there, but the authority found the delay "could not be justified".

It said the most significant factors were the "failures to properly record, analyse and communicate all relevant information from the scene, which meant that the responding officers lacked clear information about Mr Singh's condition or the location of the offenders".

Among 16 recommendations for police, it suggested fitting the Eagle helicopter with video recording equipment and considering providing a live feed to the communications centre.

The Herald on Sunday has learned police have been testing such equipment since March and are looking to make it permanent.

Singh's wife Harjinder Kaur said through an interpreter she was delighted with the authority's recommendation.

"It is really wonderful that police have more resources and they have more power... better than they have been before, so they can reach incidents a lot more quickly," she said.

The Eagle is fitted with infrared recording equipment. Footage is stored and available when needed, but police are looking to install up to $400,000 of recording gear to provide the live feed.

The equipment was developed in Britain and has been used by British armed forces and specialist security teams, including those covering the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Inspector Mike Hall, from Auckland's metro crime unit, said there were still "bugs to iron out" but the live streaming would have huge benefits for field staff.

The trial is expected to cost between $6000 and $10,000. The equipment is on loan from a British company and was brought to New Zealand by the military for a similar trial.