RCMP begins deploying body-worn cameras to frontline officers across Canada

Within days, thousands of frontline RCMP officers will be starting their shifts equipped with a body-worn camera, as the national police force begins deploying the program across Canada.

Within days, thousands of frontline RCMP officers will be starting their shifts equipped with a body-worn camera, as the national police force begins deploying the program across Canada.

On Thursday, the RCMP announced that starting Nov. 18, general duty police officers at select detachments will begin using body-worn cameras, with the audio and video captured being uploaded to "a secure digital evidence management system." 

Over the next nine months, approximately 1,000 contract and federal police officers per month will be migrating to the system as part of a phased national implementation plan. By this time next year, the force is aiming to have 90 per cent of frontline officers using the devices.

The current estimate that between 10,000 and 15,000 body-worn cameras will be deployed to those who interact with Canadians, across rural, urban, and remote locations, in the next 12 to 18 months.

The objective of the initiative, according to the RCMP, is to strengthen trust, increase transparency, improve interactions between the public and police, and enhance evidence-gathering.

"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," said RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme, in the statement.

The national rollout comes after the Mounties ran pilot tests of the technology in certain detachments, and after the target for full implementation was delayed over the last few years as the Mounties settled on a provider, developed policies, and provided training.