More than 350 body-worn cameras will be rolled out to Sheriff’s officers across New South Wales, following a trial that found the technology could help deter aggressive behaviour and improve officer safety.
The statewide rollout will begin at some of Sydney’s busiest courts before expanding to metropolitan and regional locations, with the cameras expected to be fully operational by November 2026.
Cameras to Support Court and Enforcement Duties
NSW Sheriff’s officers perform a range of frontline duties, including:
- Providing security at courts
- Managing jurors
- Enforcing civil court orders
- Seizing property where required under court processes
Those duties can involve confrontations, verbal abuse and threats from members of the public.
The body-worn cameras are intended to provide an additional safety tool during court security and civil enforcement work, while also creating a video record of incidents where required.
Statewide Rollout Follows Earlier Trial
The new program follows an earlier pilot involving around 40 Sheriff’s officers across NSW.
The trial examined whether body-worn cameras could improve safety for officers, court users and people involved in civil enforcement matters.
The NSW Sheriff’s Office says the pilot found the cameras helped deter aggressive behaviour, reduce incidents of violence and increase officers’ sense of safety.
An independent evaluation of the trial also supported expanding the technology beyond the pilot stage.
Officers Must Complete Training
Body-worn cameras are worn visibly while Sheriff’s officers perform operational security and enforcement duties.
According to NSW Sheriff’s Office guidance, officers must complete mandatory training before using the equipment, including instruction covering privacy requirements and recording protocols.
The cameras are not intended to be used during routine administrative work.
Under the pilot framework, recordings could be made where an officer reasonably attempted to make a person aware of the device, where there was a significant risk of harm, or where recording occurred unexpectedly during an incident.
Legal Framework Moving From Trial to Permanent Use
The statewide rollout also coincides with changes to NSW legislation designed to provide an ongoing legal basis for body-worn video use by Sheriff’s officers.
Temporary regulations supporting the trial were due to expire on 30 November 2026.
Legislation considered by NSW Parliament in September would instead permanently authorise the overt use of body-worn cameras by operational Sheriff’s officers while carrying out their statutory duties.
The rollout brings Sheriff’s officers closer to other frontline agencies that already use body-worn video as part of routine operational equipment.
The more than 350 cameras are expected to be deployed across NSW by November, covering both metropolitan courts and regional locations.
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