WINNIPEG – The newly formed Winnipeg Police Board wants to get officers wearing body-worn cameras sooner.
A million dollars is already in the 2016 budget to look at the technology but the newly created board wants to do it now.
“I think we need to report back, see how it works and if it makes sense, maybe you move that up to 2014 and do it on a pilot project basis,” said Scott Fielding, the St. James city councillor who also chairs the board.
Used in other cities, like Edmonton, Fielding said the cameras could help the public and police officers.
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He points out since cameras were introduced in one California city, complaints against police officers dropped by 88 per cent, and the use of force by cops was cut in half.
However Winnipeg’s police chief doesn’t think the cameras are needed.
“I really don’t think we need additional monitoring of our police officers because they are very professional, they are doing great work and they are serving the public very well,” said Devon Clunis.
In 2011 the Law Enforcement Review Agency received 148 complaints against the Winnipeg Police Service. That is 32 more than the previous year.
Some critics tell Global News the majority of officers go by the books, but not all.
“There are bullies,” said Sel Burrows, a community activist in Point Douglas. “They know it, Devon Clunis knows it and the union knows it and this will be one of the ways to keep those bullies from misbehaving.”
The Winnipeg Police Association isn’t against cameras but questions why now when cutbacks are rumored.
“Police officers are prepared for accountability and it is an issue really that we are doing the right thing with the money we have,” said Mike Sutherland, the union president.
Fielding would like a report on the pros and cons of the cameras to be completed by November.
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