Police agencies in British Columbia say the introduction of body cameras will improve transparency and lead to more timely resolution of complaints against officers.
The B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police and representatives from several departments gathered at RCMP headquarters in Surrey, B.C., on Thursday to tout the introduction of the cameras, soon to be worn by thousands of officers in the province and across Canada.
The association formed a committee in 2021, which was mandated 91裸聊视频渢o identify best practices by ensuring consistency and standard operating procedures, policies, disclosure procedures and communications,91裸聊视频� said Deputy Chief Anita Furlan with the Metro Vancouver Transit Police.
She said police expect the technology to improve interactions with the public and help resolve complaints more quickly.
Furlan, a vice-president with the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police, said video evidence is valuable in court proceedings because it 91裸聊视频渟hows exactly what is occurring.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淎 key principle for the committee was to ensure that using body-worn cameras balance the rights of the individual with the (use) of the technology,91裸聊视频� she said.
The committee was also tasked with identifying 91裸聊视频渟tandard operating procedures91裸聊视频� for the use of body cameras, and consult with other agencies 91裸聊视频渨hose work will be impacted91裸聊视频� by their introduction, the association said in a news release.
Evidence collected by the devices will be used not only by police, but also the BC Prosecution Service, which determines if charges will be laid, and by the Independent Investigations Office and the Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner, both police watchdog agencies.
Chief Supt. Holly Turton of the RCMP said the force has used body cameras in a 91裸聊视频渓imited capacity91裸聊视频� since 2010, and between 10,000 and 15,000 body cameras are set to be deployed across Canada after field testing in Alberta and elsewhere.
Turton said the committee sought to 91裸聊视频減romote a collaborative approach among police agencies91裸聊视频� about body camera implementation.
91裸聊视频淥ur intent was to ensure a seamless approach across the province with the understanding that this would also benefit the public and decision makers,91裸聊视频� Turton said.
Supt. Howard Tran with the Vancouver Police Department said introducing body cameras is 91裸聊视频渓ong overdue,91裸聊视频� as communities have changed their expectations of police at a time of 91裸聊视频渆merging public safety challenges.91裸聊视频�
Dozens of VPD officers are already wearing body cameras under a pilot program launched last week.
Sgt. Jim Ingram, the Delta Police Department91裸聊视频檚 body-worn camera co-ordinator, said the decision to turn on cameras is up to an officer91裸聊视频檚 discretion if they decide a recording could have 91裸聊视频渆videntiary value.91裸聊视频�
Ingram said policing standards, though, require cameras to be turned on 91裸聊视频渋f there is a potential for use of force or violent or aggressive behaviour is anticipated or displayed.91裸聊视频�
He said the cameras 91裸聊视频渁ssist in de-escalating91裸聊视频� potentially volatile situations, and video evidence of an event is superior to handwritten notes.
He said the cameras are an 91裸聊视频渁dditional tool91裸聊视频� officers can use to defuse tense situations as people behave differently when they know they91裸聊视频檙e being recorded.
91裸聊视频淲hen there91裸聊视频檚 a camera turned on, I91裸聊视频檇 say that everybody has a little bit of a psychological switch that flips,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚 think that91裸聊视频檚 just human nature.91裸聊视频�
The Delta Police Department has been using the cameras for about two years, and currently 21 are in operation with 16 more to be introduced this year.
At an unrelated news conference Thursday, Premier David Eby said the police cameras help provide valuable evidence and ensure accountability.
91裸聊视频淲hen police are conducting themselves in public, with all the authorities and powers that they have, when they are doing it on camera it91裸聊视频檚 reassurance to the public that they91裸聊视频檙e doing it in as professional a way as possible,91裸聊视频� Eby said, adding the body-worn cameras have advantages for police and the public.
91裸聊视频淐ertainly, I91裸聊视频檓 supportive.91裸聊视频�
READ ALSO:
READ ALSO:
