A groundbreaking new proposal is being advanced in Victoria that could allow police to remotely access home and business security camera footage – a move expected to save more than a million policing hours and up to $200 million annually.
The initiative, led by former Victoria Police detective Dave Bartlett, is dubbed the “Safer Places Network” and would enable police to access CCTV footage electronically with owner permission, eliminating the need for door-knocking and on-site video transfers.
“It’s not about surveillance – it’s about efficiency,” Bartlett said, adding that senior officers across several crime units have endorsed the proposal. Under the system, when a crime occurs, police could request access to listed camera systems and download relevant footage instantly, once the owner approves access remotely.
Currently, detectives face delays as they try to locate homeowners or store managers, many of whom struggle to operate their own systems. The time-consuming process of transferring video files onto USBs or discs, then taking them back to the station, can hinder real-time investigations.
Bartlett, who served in the force for 15 years, says the program could revolutionise how investigations are conducted, particularly for serious crimes like assaults, shootings and home invasions. “If I had this tool when I was on the job, it would have made a huge difference,” he said.
The cost and labour savings are significant: with more than 1,000 current police vacancies and around 700 staff on sick leave, the ability to redeploy saved hours to frontline duties could transform the force’s capabilities.
Importantly, strict privacy safeguards would be in place. Officers would not have blanket access to live or archived footage, and all access would require user consent. The proposal is currently under review by Victoria Police as Bartlett seeks to initiate a pilot program.
If successful, the Safer Places Network could represent the next frontier of smart policing in Australia.
