RCMP rolling out body cameras to officers across Canada

The RCMP are rolling out body-worn cameras (BWCs) at select detachments across Canada next week.

Over the next nine months, around 1,000 frontline RCMP officers, per month, will begin using body-worn cameras.

The RCMP says over 2,000 BWCs will be deployed over the first three months and by the end of the roll out, expected to be finished in 12-18 months, more than 10,000 BWCs will be in use.

The cameras are meant to serve as an independent, unbiased and objective way to capture interactions between civilians and police officers.

All audio and video captured on the BWCs will be uploaded and maintained on a secure digital evidence management system, the RCMP says in a news release.

“The rollout of body-worn cameras to Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers is another step towards building a more modern and accountable RCMP and enhancing trust between the RCMP and the communities it serves,” says Mike Duheme, RCMP commissioner.

The news release says it will also resolve public complaints more quickly and improve evidence gathering.

The cameras will be worn on the RCMP officer’s chest and flash red when recording.

According to the news release, the cameras will not be used for surveillance, 24-hour recordings, settings with a high expectation of privacy.

That includes washrooms, hospitals and treatment centres. They will also not be used during strip searches or internal body cavity searches.