Front-line Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers will begin wearing body cameras on November 18.
In a press release published Thursday on the RCMP website, the organization outlined its plan to deploy body cameras for its police forces nationwide.
Starting November 18, the RCMP will begin distributing the intervention cameras to 1,000 police officers per month across the country.
The organization wants 90% of its frontline members to have a body camera on duty by November 2025.
The final goal is to deploy between 10,000 and 15,000 devices to agents in the next 12 to 18 months.
Moreover, the RCMP specifies that “the audio and video recordings made using the device will be uploaded and stored in a secure digital evidence management system,” we can read.
The RCMP made the decision to equip itself with these intervention cameras, in particular to “reinforce community confidence” in them, mentioned the commissioner, Mike Duheme.
“Intervention cameras provide an independent, impartial and objective means of recording interactions between police personnel and the public, which can help to strengthen the bond of trust between the police and the communities they serve” , underlined the organization in a press release.
The body camera, installed on the police officer’s chest, will not be active at all times.
Recording will activate during calls for service, including those related to mental health, interactions with people in crisis, public disturbances, protests, as well as crimes.
According to the website, a red light will flash to let the audience know that the camera is recording.
