Kamloops RCMP officers will begin training in the use of body worn cameras on December 9, and begin going live with their cameras on December 10.
Kamloops RCMP Supt. Jeff Pelly says in just a couple of weeks the rollout of body worn cameras will start to be seen. “We’re excited to be one of the first six communities in BC to roll out the body worn cameras to our front line police officers.”
Pelley says a total of 115 individuals have been assigned cameras to support daily operations. “Body worn cameras are the new national standard for RCMP frontline officers, and here in Kamloops, we’re excited to be able to include them as an essential tool in modernizing policing in Kamloops.”
“We see the body worn cameras as a tool to help improve our interactions with the public, enhance evidence gathering, increase public trust in police and resolve public complaints more quickly.”
“The cameras will also help make things safer for our officers by capturing audio and video versions of all interactions and contributing to behavioral change that can come when people know their actions are being recorded and can be used as evidence.”
“The camera will be on during the officers shifts, but in a during their entire shift, but in a buffering mode until the camera is activated by the officer. The buffering mode continuously records a 30 second loop, which is attached to the video upon activation. Basically, when an officer arrives for a call for service, it’s a it’s a seat belt off and camera on. At the earliest opportunity during an interaction, officers will notify individuals that they’re being recorded.”
“There are times when the officer may obstruct the lens, but those reasons would need to be articulated, such as in situations where there is a high expectation of privacy, the public can request the camera to be turned off, but the officer will determine whether or not turning off the camera is justified.”
Supt. Pelley says the release of footage to the public will only be considered in exceptional circumstances. “Such as emergency situations where withholding a recording will seriously undermine the public confidence in policing. If the RCMP decide to release the video in the best interest of the public… It has to go through this strict process to ensure privacy laws are met, and it will need approval through the divisions commanding officer should a member wish to view a body one camera in which they are captured.”
The local RCMP continue to work with the BC Association of Chiefs of Police so that agencies across the province are able to develop clear guidelines for the police in BC.
Each camera costs $3,000 and it is municipally funded at this time.
“In policing modernization in general, I think it will certainly demonstrate what an officer sees and goes through in their investigations and has to make critical split second decisions. It will also garner evidence of individuals who commit crimes while we’re doing active investigations and show the transparency as well as the accountability to the public and police as well.”
