Fraser Sampson has been appointed as the government’s independent biometrics and surveillance camera commissioner.
He has taken on the new role, which consolidates those of individual commissioners for the two technologies, after the relevant predecessors, Tony Porter and Paul Wiles, reached the end of their terms.
The statutory responsibilities and duties for both roles will remain the same.
Sampson was formerly an honorary professor and research fellow at Sheffield Hallam University, and has had senior executive roles with the police, fire and crime commissioners in North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire and the Civil Nuclear Police Authority. He was also a police officer between 1982 and 1996 for West Yorkshire Police and the British Transport Police.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “It is vital the government works to empower police to use technology to keep the public safe while maintaining their trust and Fraser Sampson’s extensive experience in law and policing makes him the right person to take up this role.”
Sampson commented: “I look forward to working with all partners in what is a fast moving and challenging area of balancing the public interest considerations with the rights of individuals.”
Image from GOV.UK, Open Government Licence v3.0
