Starting November 18, frontline RCMP officers at select detachments across Canada will begin wearing body-worn cameras as part of a major initiative to enhance transparency and build public trust. The audio and video recorded by these cameras will be securely uploaded to a digital evidence management system, ensuring a standardized approach to capturing police interactions.
Nationwide Implementation in Progress
The rollout will see approximately 1,000 frontline RCMP officers equipped with body-worn cameras each month over the next nine months. By this time next year, 90 per cent of frontline officers are expected to be using the cameras, with full deployment anticipated within 12 to 18 months.
"Body-worn cameras provide an independent, unbiased record of interactions between police and the public, which helps build trust and resolve complaints more efficiently," said Mike Duheme, RCMP Commissioner. "This initiative is a key step in our ongoing efforts to modernize the RCMP and enhance accountability."
Strengthening Community Trust
The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, praised the initiative as a positive move towards increased transparency.
"Canadians must have confidence in the agencies tasked with keeping them safe," said Minister LeBlanc. "The deployment of body-worn cameras demonstrates the RCMP's commitment to strengthening public trust and building stronger relationships with our communities."
Key Facts About the Initiative
- Axon Public Safety Canada Inc. is supplying the RCMP's body-worn cameras and the digital evidence management system.
- RCMP officers will wear the cameras on their chest. A flashing red light below the lens indicates the camera is recording.
- Over 2,000 body-worn cameras (BWCs) will be deployed during the first three months, with more than 10,000 cameras planned by the end of the rollout.
- Officers have received extensive training and guidelines on the use of BWCs.
- Cameras will not be used for surveillance or in settings with high expectations of privacy, such as washrooms, hospitals, or during strip searches.
This rollout marks a significant step in fostering accountability and enhancing the relationship between the RCMP and the communities they serve across Canada.