70 Waterloo regional police officers will be equipped with cameras for the next 6 months

Starting today, 70 officers and 40 cruisers with the Waterloo Regional Police Service's (WRPS) north and trafficdivisions will be equipped withcameras as part of a six month pilot project.

The project aims to foster better transparency and accountability for police interactions, while also assistofficers withinvestigationsand enforcement, said WRPSChief Bryan Larkin during a virtualcommunity engagement sessionMonday night.

"We're hoping that digital evidence will bring some clarity to our judicial process and see justice through," he said.

"We've also heard over the past 12 months from our community that they are looking to enhance trust and accountability in oversight in the police force and we do believe this project does provide that."

WRPS is among several other police forces in Ontarioto pilot body worn cameras.

• Fredericton, N.B. police expand bodycamera project
• N.L. town, privacy commissioner clash over body cam use

Some of the objectives of the project will focus onenhancing police accountability, capture accurate records of police interaction with the community andimprove evidence for investigative,judicial and oversight purposes such as provincial and criminal court and the Special Investigations Unit.

Police also hope it will lead to more fair and timely resolution of complaints and will look for community feedback on the effectiveness of the project.

'It's not for general surveillance'

During the virtual engagement, superintendent Shaena Morris sharedhow officers will use thetechnology, when officers will be recording, when they won'tbe, and addressed people'srights and concernsaroundprivacy andconsent.

"It's important that we note that the body worn cameras and in-car video, theirintentionis only to capture investigative and enforcement activities," she said.

"It's not for general surveillance," she said.

Morris said officers will not be recording 24-hoursand will have to disclose to the public when they start recording.

Morris saidofficers will not be allowed to obstruct the recording or mute the audioexcept in circumstances toprotect the dignity of an individual such as in circumstances of nudity, state of undress or inmedical care facilities.Other considerations includecultural or religious ceremonies, unless it is part of an investigation.

If officers do have to obstruct the lens, Morris said officers will have toverballystate in the recording why the video was obstructed and keep a record of it in their notebook.

Morris said supervisors will play an important role in the project. They willensure officers are using the technology in accordance to the service's procedures anddetermine if an officer requiresadditional trainingby reviewingbody cam and in-car video footage at least once a month, she said.

The pilot will run until the end of the year with several evaluations of the project expected to take place during and after the pilot is complete. Findings and evaluations will be presented to the WRPS board this coming fall.

You can watch the full presentation below: