Edmonton police begins rolling out body cameras service-wide

The Edmonton Police Service is beginning a service-wide rollout of body-worn cameras Friday.

EPS says over the next several months, some frontline areas will undergo training and will begin to wear the cameras.

A phased rollout began on Sept. 3, where 280 officers will gradually be issued body cameras. This includes the 35 High Risk Encampment Teams, Healthy Streets Operations Centre Community Safety Teams, and Transit and Community Safety Teams who began wearing the cameras in July 2023.

“Body-worn cameras are a helpful tool for everyone when it comes to police interactions. Wearing the cameras builds trust with the public and it can give valuable insight as an investigative tool,” says Deputy Chief Darren Derko of the Community Policing Bureau. “During our initial proof of concept period, we found that often times just the presence of the camera can de-escalate situations almost immediately.”

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EPS says their public safety unit, crime suppression branch, gang suppression, commercial vehicle investigation unit, and traffic enforcement section are all expected to receive cameras.

Additionally, the northeast division patrol, west division patrol, southwest division patrol, and Whyte Avenue beats are all set to receive cameras.

EPS began to test body cameras following a mandate from the Government of Alberta in March 2023.

Following a proof of concept phase, EPS has agreed to a partnership with Axon.

“Axon proudly supports the Edmonton Police Service in advancing public safety with body-worn cameras,” says Axon Canada Sales Director Stefan Schurman. “The deployment of Axon Body 4 increases officer and community safety with reliable technology that is proven to drive effective de-escalation, enhance training and accelerate investigations.”

What to expect from body cameras

EPS says the goal of body cameras is “to create a more efficient accountability process and reduce use of force incidents for both officers and the public.”

The hope, according to police, is to increasing transparency, reducing unfounded allegations of police misconduct, increasing public trust and confidence in the EPS.

Moving forward, Edmontonians will see officers wearing cameras on the front of their uniforms.

The cameras are about the size of a deck of playing cards, and officers will have them activated with audio and video recording capabilities during all interactions with the public.

EPS also notes, officers will do their best to inform people they are being recorded, however, it is not legally required for them to do so.

Once the interaction is done or the officer has determined the recording is no longer serving its intended purpose, the officer will then end the recording.

Following every shift, officers will dock their cameras, and all footage recorded from that day will be automatically uploaded to a secure storage location.

EPS also notes that all recorded data cannot be altered or deleted at any time, and all the footage will be logged and submitted to the Crown when charges are laid.

For more information on the body cameras, visit the EPS website.