Saskatoon police to put body cameras on another 40 officers next year
CBC
More Saskatoon police officers will be outfitted with body cameras next year.
On Thursday, the Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners received a report on doubling number of cameras in use for a pilot program that began this April. Forty officers are currently wearing the cameras and that will gradually increase to 80 in the coming year.
Coun. Hilary Gough, who is on the board, said the biggest concern voiced in a city survey done before the program started was around the policy of when a camera would be activated.
"I'm interest to know what that policy states and whether we know if that aspect of the policy is being consistently and successfully followed."
Sgt. Tom Gresty, who is assigned to the project, told the board officers are using the cameras whenever they are dispatched to a call.
"The analogy that we're using in training with our members is 'seat belt on, seat belt off,' " Gresty said.
"Upon my arrival to a call for service, prior to taking my seat belt off to get out and start investigating, I'm gonna start recording," he said. "And I'm going to continue to record the the incident in its entirety until I'm done investigating.
"When I'm ready to drive away and put my seat belt on, I'm going to stop recording."
He said they are auditing the use of the cameras on a monthly basis.
In that city survey, done prior to start of the pilot program, 98 per cent of community members supported the body cameras.
The cameras are being used to collect evidence along with audio and video statements from witnesses and victims, police say.
"Video from calls is also being used to train new recruits by having them wear cameras and then go over the footage with a senior officer," Gresty said.
"[They will] review it and talk about things like grounds for arrest, officers safety, how to appropriately deal with victims and witnesses and suspects."
So far this year $198,000 has been spent to set up the program, buy hardware and purchase software licences.
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