Cranbrook RCMP officers will be equipped with new gear as the detachment prepares to deploy its new body-worn cameras (BWC) in early December.
Cranbrook’s detachment is among six set to be part of the initial rollout in British Columbia. About 300 cameras will go to frontline police in Mission, Tofino, Ucluelet, Cranbrook and the Cranbrook British Columbia Highway Patrol, Kamloops and Prince George.
Cranbrook detachment will get about 26 cameras at the cost of $3,000 per user (totalling approximately $78,000) and will be in use starting on Tuesday, December 3.
This is part of a broader nationwide rollout that will see 10,000 cameras distributed to RCMP across the country, backed by $50 million in annual federal funding.
“Body-worn video (BWV) will provide increased transparency, while also providing a first-person view of what a police officer encounters, oftentimes in highly dynamic and tense situations,” said Cranbrook officials.
Police officials say the deployment of body-worn cameras has four main goals:
- Strengthening transparency, accountability and public trust.
- Resolving public complaints more quickly.
- Improving interactions between the public and police.
- Improving evidence gathering.
“I anticipate body-worn cameras will not only strengthen public trust but also reduce the number of public complaints we receive and resolve them more quickly,” said Cranbrook RCMP Staff Sergeant Barry Graham.
The BWC policy prohibits the use of these cameras for anything outside of a police officer’s official duties.
“The officer must operate the camera when initiating contact with the public in a law enforcement capacity. While the camera will clearly show a red light when recording, an officer will also tell the individual they are being audio and video recorded,” said Cranbrook officials.
“The public has the right to seek access to a recording of them by filing a formal request under the federal Privacy Act or Access to Information Act.”
A public opinion survey regarding the new body-worn cameras is available here.
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