As the Supreme Court’s eviction deadline looms for the campers in Oppenheimer Park, Vancouver police are taking an unprecedented step to make sure things go smoothly.
In order to help disband the Oppenheimer Park encampment safely at 10 p.m. tomorrow, VPD Chief Cst. Jim Chu unveiled plans that eight officers, which will be in key positions of communication, will be wearing body worn video cameras.
The body worn video cameras will be the first time the VPD will be using these types of devices. In the past, police have often used handheld cameras or cameras attached to poles at large public events like the Celebration of Light.
WATCH: Global BC reporter spends night at Oppenheimer Park
Chu said for years, officers have used handheld cameras and the new body-worn cameras will be an extension of what they already do and allow for increased transparency.
However the police chief was quick to point out they are not ready to deploy body worn videos on all regular patrol officers at this time. Issues around the cost of video storage and privacy would be some of the major hurdles they would need to overcome.
For now, the body worn cameras will be used, in addition to the handheld devices, on a limited basis.
Use of the body worn camera during the removal of the Oppenheimer Park encampment is to keep all people involved safe, as well as to record a more personal side of police interactions with demonstrators. The cameras will also provide an accurate account of police interactions in the public.
According to the judicial order, all structures, tents, shelters and objects must be removed from the area by 10 p.m. tomorrow evening.
“We are asking people to obey the court order but if they interfere with city staff or assault city staff or those intentionally violating the order may be arrested and charged with criminal contempt,” Chu said in a press conference this morning.
“Our objective is to have a peaceful resolution to the encampment. We are hoping for voluntary compliance. Arrests will only be made as a last resort.”
WATCH: Dr. Christopher J. Schneider, associate professor with Law&Society, talks about the legality of VPD’s use of body cameras
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