Winnipeg police to pilot use of body-worn cameras

WINNIPEG – The popularity of body worn cameras has captured the attention of Winnipeg Police.

“It’s something that’s important,” said Detective Sergeant Natalie Aitken with the Winnipeg Police Service, ” citizens have questioned us on why we’re not doing it when other organizations are doing that.”

The cameras are already being used in Calgary, Edmonton and recently Toronto started a pilot project. And Friday, the Winnipeg Police Service got the green light from the Police Board to move ahead with a pilot project, which likely won’t happen until next year.

“There’s a lot of questions yet that we have to answer before we start a pilot project,” said Board Chair and city councillor Scott Gillingham.

Studies suggest the cameras reduce complaints against police and the cameras also reduce the use of force by officers wearing them.

“There certainly has been some benefits in terms of the retrievals of evidence that officers would gain on certain situations,” said Aitken.

Like in 2005, when an officer shot and killed Matthew Dumas, claiming he had a screwdriver and in 2008, when Micheal Langan was tasered to death, the officer claimed he had a knife.

But the Winnipeg Police Association says the pilot project alone will cost roughly $1 million and says the benefits don’t outweigh the long term costs.

“It’s not just a one-time purchase and I don’t know if the citizens of Winnipeg are prepared to pay those extra costs year after year,” said Moe Sabourin, President of the Association.

Wednesday, the provincial ombudsman expressed privacy concerns and concerns over where the recordings will be stored, and for how long.  Questions that will need to be answered before the pilot project can proceed.

READ MORE: Canada’s privacy watchdogs flag concerns over police body cameras