Calgary police keeping cameras on uniforms

Calgary Police will continue wearing cameras on their uniformsand expanduse of the devicesafter a successful pilot program.

Officers havebeen using 50 of the small cameras since last November to capture evidence, enhance officer and public safety and provide transparency.

To date, the cameras have captured 2,700 videos. In some cases they've led to early case resolutions and convictions, police say.

"Body worn cameras are activated when officers are responding to a call or come across an incident requiring investigation. Over the course of the pilot, a wide range of videos were collected including intoxicated persons, assaults, traffic offences, impaired driving, homicide investigations and flood-related duties this summer," police said in a statement.

Footage from the cameras can be stored for a minimum of 13 months and up to 25 years depending on the investigation.

"Police are looking to expand the program in a phased approach," police said.

"Ongoing testing and research will be done to ensure body worn cameras are used effectively allowing police officers to capture evidence, enhance officer and public safety and provide transparency."