RCMP rolls out body-worn cameras for officers nationally

OTTAWA — The RCMP will begin its rollout of body-worn cameras for RCMP officers across the country next week.

It expects deployment of more than 10,000 cameras to be finished in the next 12 to 18 months.

The RCMP says the cameras serve as an objective record of how officers interact with the community.

The project director Taunya Goguen said there is online and in-person training the officers have to do.

“Officers do complete a mandatory training,” said Goguen. “It’s required before they’re issued the camera.”

With this being a new task for officers the RCMP are trying to ensure that investigators actually use the cameras.

Jordan Arthur, RCMP Inspector said officers are guided by the RCMP Act and Code of Conduct. It’s up to the supervisors to ensure officers are following these new rules involving the cams.

“Supervisors are required periodically to actually review body cam footage,” said Arthur.

“Action will be taken on employees that don’t adhere to our policies and guidelines.”

According to Arthur people can lodge a formal complaint and if there is body cam footage that pertains to them, they can watch it with police.

Officers will wear the cameras on their chests, and the cameras will flash red lights to indicate they are recording.

The RCMP says the cameras won’t be worn for surveillance or for 24-hour recordings.

They also won’t be used in settings with a high expectation of privacy, such as washrooms or hospitals, or during strip or body cavity searches.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 14, 2024.

Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press