BODY WORN CAMERA ROLL OUT

BWCs were mandated by the provincial government with 2025 being the deadline.  BTPS will be rolling out

their BWC program early June, 2024.

Patrol officers will carry a camera approximately the size of a pack of cards on the front of their

uniform. The officers turn the camera on and off to record audio and video for law enforcement

purposes. Every recording includes the 30 seconds before the camera was activated.

These cameras have a light that visibly indicates it is recording. However, officers can disable

this when required for officer safety (for example, if the light would give away their location at a

nighttime incident involving a person with a firearm).

Officers are expected to use these cameras whenever they have an interaction with the public,

and especially when:

• An arrest or detention is likely or happening
• The use-of-force is possible
• They are having an investigative contact with the public
• A legal demand is being made
• A charge is being laid

BODY WORN AND IN-CAR CAMERAS

Body worn cameras (BWC) and in-car cameras, also known as dash cameras, are two of many

technical tools accessible to police agencies across the world.

Blood Tribe Police Service has been using in-car cameras since 2005.

Frontline police vehicles are equipped with both dash cameras and back seat cameras that

record audio and video. They are automatically activated when the emergency lights are turned

on or when the vehicle is involved in a collision.

These cameras constantly store 30 seconds of footage, so every recording includes the 30

seconds before the cameras were activated and ends only when an officer manually shuts them

off.

Officers are expected to use these cameras whenever they have an investigative contact with

the public, are in a pursuit, or if it would benefit an investigation.

PRIVACY CONCERNS

Section 33(c) and 33(b) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act authorizes

the collection of information from the public.

Legally, officers are not required to inform the public they are being recorded during an

interaction, but they are trained to do so when they can.

EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CAMERAS

Evaluations of BWCs have found evidence that the technologies help create a more efficient

accountability process and reduce incidents where force is used.

The goals of BWCs include:

• Enhance transparency, public trust and confidence
• Enhance officer accountability and professionalism
• Provide real-life training examples
• Aid in de-escalating the behavior of individuals who are aware of the recording in
• progress situations which in turn reduces incidences of the use-of-force by and against

the police.

• Protect officers from unfounded allegations of misconduct and increase the efficiency of

the resolution of complaints against the police.

• Improve evidence collection, documentation, early case resolution and successful

prosecutions.