Police told to switch bodycams to flight mode to avoid detection by criminals

Thousands of Australian law enforcement officers have been issued an urgent directive to switch their body-worn cameras to flight mode following the discovery of a significant security vulnerability. The mandate aims to prevent sophisticated criminal elements from detecting and tracking police presence during high-stakes raids and sensitive undercover operations.

The security protocols were adjusted after a Four Corners investigation exposed that the active Bluetooth signal on Axon-branded devices could be exploited to pinpoint an officer’s location. This technical oversight has forced an immediate shift in operational procedures, with tactical units now prioritising electronic silence to maintain the critical element of surprise in the field.

“When the very tools designed to ensure public accountability inadvertently broadcast an officer’s position, the digital shield becomes a tactical liability that necessitates an immediate return to traditional tradecraft.”

Axon, the primary supplier of the hardware to various state jurisdictions, is reportedly working on a firmware solution to mitigate the tracking risks. In the interim, police command remains adamant that officer safety must take precedence over the convenience of wireless synchronisation, as the force grapples with the evolving digital footprint of modern policing equipment.