Traffic offences are to be recorded by police officers on motorbikes. Video cameras have been mounted on three motorcycles, allowing officers to record infringements, such as speeding and reckless driving. A portable video recorder featuring a small LCD monitor allows the officer to play back the tape to check the incident, or to point out an offence to a motorist. The latest issue of the force's newspaper, OffBeat, said officers could control the system while riding, via thumb-switches on the handlebars. The system is used by British police. It employs camera technology similar to that on Grand Prix motorcycles which relay close-up action pictures from the front and rear of the machines. It will be tested over three months. Beat officers will soon be equipped with extendable batons to replace the wooden truncheons used for decades. Superintendent Charles Mitchell said the force was looking at purchasing 10,000 to 13,000 batons for delivery this year. Made of Kevlar for light weight and strength, the batons are 20cm long when collapsed, but extend to 53cm when flicked out.