SBB ticket inspectors to wear bodycams

In September 2024, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) equipped its transport police officers with body cameras to enhance staff and passenger safety. The rail company has announced that ticket inspectors will soon also have the option to wear bodycams.

SBB ticket inspectors to be equipped with body cameras

Following the successful implementation of body camera use among SBB’s transport police, SBB has announced in a press release that the initiative will be expanded to include customer service staff.

Employees at SBB, such as ticket inspectors, will be able to volunteer to wear a body camera to help “support the safety of train personnel”. Legal and data protection details are still being finalised before the project can begin.

SBB also announced that it has implemented additional safety measures on Swiss trains. This includes an increased police presence on trains after 10pm, particularly on higher-risk and longer-distance routes. Furthermore, customer-facing employees will receive training on how to de-escalate hostile situations, and video surveillance will be increased at train stations and on trains.

Bodycam use decreases number of assaults, says SBB

SBB’s focus on public transport safety comes after an increase in incidents involving verbal or physical abuse towards employees. SBB recently reported 3.600 incidents per year, averaging out at 10 cases per day, according to SRF. 

The use of wearable devices among transport police officers has proven to be “a valuable tool for de-escalating conflicts and securing evidence,” according to SBB. The number of officers assaulted decreased by 11 percent year-on-year. In 202 cases, body camera footage served as evidence, with 32 of these handed over to criminal investigations.

Additionally, in almost 50 percent of cases where people were detained by transport police, the conflict was de-escalated when the officer told the suspect that they would be recorded. 

The implementation of body camera use on public transport is not unique to Switzerland. In 2023, Deutsche Bahn staff were also equipped with body cameras following a significant increase in the number of assaults against employees.