CALGARY – A pilot program from Calgary police testing the effectiveness of body-worn cameras has proved so successful officials say they will continue using the technology.
Police launched the pilot program in November of 2012, dispensing a total of 50 cameras.
They allow police to record video that can be used as evidence for Criminal and Civil proceedings, and were used for district patrols, the K-9 unit and the Traffic Section.
To date, the cameras have captured approximately 2,700 videos.
Videos collected included surveillance of everything from assaults, traffic offences, impaired driving, homicide investigations and flood related duties that police helped with this summer.
In some cases, these videos have led to early case resolutions and convictions.
Footage from the cameras can be stored for a minimum of 13 months and up to 25 years depending on the investigation.
As well as continuing to use the cameras already deployed during the pilot, police are looking to expand the program in a phased approach.
Ongoing testing and research will be done to ensure the cameras are being used effectively.
The cameras cost $1,200 each, putting the estimated cost of the pilot program at $60,000.
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