Monitoring CCTV not job of police

Tweed Byron Superintendent Michael Kenny at the launch of the CCTV cameras.

A LARGE video screen installed in the Murwillumbah police station connected to 29 closed circuit TV cameras may be pulled out because it is not the official role of police to watch it.

The move would leave live images from the security cameras unwatched because Tweed Shire Council also refuses to take over the monitoring job.

The council has confirmed it is consulting with the police on whether to retain the plasma screen but says that as with security cameras in the Kingscliff CBD, the images are for retrieval later following any incidents.

The latest comments are in response to rumours the cameras in the Murwillumbah CCTV system are not working and police are not monitoring the system.

The council’s technology director Troy Green rejected the claims, stressing that all 29 cameras worked but added: “It is my understanding that the police have never monitored the system”.

“In fact I believe it is against NSW Police Policy to monitor the system,” he said.

“When an incident occurs (at either Kingscliff or Murwillumbah) the police request council to retrieve footage. This is done... so that the police who will be using the evidence are not the ones responsible for capturing the evidence.

“We are consulting with the police as to the long term to retain the monitor in the station or not.”

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