Halifax police board to consider body camera pilot project

The Halifax board of police commissioners has asked for a report on the feasibility of conducting a pilot project that would see police officers wear body cameras.

The idea was rejected by Halifax police officials in 2017, but Coun.Tony Mancini, a member of the police commission, thinks it is time to take another look.

"Given the terrible tragedy with George Floyd, recently body camera footage has come up and that footage showed the interaction from the police from the start was not good," he said.

Floyd, an unarmed Black man,was murdered after beingpinned under the knee of a white police officer for nearly nine minutes.

Carlos Beals, a citizen representative on the police commission, voted in favour of the motion, saying it was an issue of accountability.

"I wholeheartedly support this," he said. "As a Black citizen, I would feel a lot more comfortable."

Why Halifax police previously turned down idea

In 2017, due to concerns over cost and the secure storage of the video footage captured by body cameras, Halifax Regional Police turned down the idea.

At the time, a report suggested using 50 cameras could cost $1.4 million annually.

Current police chief Dan Kinsellasaid the prices have dropped from $20,000per officer to between $2,000-$3,000. Kinsella told the police board the technology has also improved.

"I believe body-worn cameras can help with transparency and certainly help us build public trust," he said.

But other councillors warned the technology is not a single solution to a complex problem.

"We have to understand that people have lost their lives when officers have worn body cams," said Coun. Lindell Smith."Video evidence has also been withheld for many months or years when incidents happen."

Coun. Lisa Blackburn said expectations need to be managed.

"There are studies that have found only modest reductions in the use of force and civilian complaints when body cams were worn," she said.

Police board chair Natalie Bordensaid the issue was "not straightforward and should not be rushed."

RCMP Chief Supt.Janis Gray said the RCMP would do a separate report on the issue. The RCMP did a feasibility study in 2015 andis already planning to have its officers wear body cameras.

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