Alberta launches body-worn camera pilot for sheriffs, fish and wildlife officers

More than 30 officers from Sheriff Highway Patrol, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services, and Court and Security Services in central Alberta are now field-testing body-worn cameras.

The province says this is in an aim to enhance transparenct and accountability.

The devices will record public interactions while officers are on duty, which the government says will strengthen trust between officers and the communities they serve.

Alberta’s government says the pilot will run until Dec. 15 to allow Alberta Sheriffs to refine operational policies, resolve technical problems, and make necessary adjustments.

Full deployment across Alberta Sheriffs will start in January 2026.

Data recorded by body-worn cameras is uploaded to a secure, centralized digital evidence management system, where it is reviewed by a designated officer, the province explains.

All recorded data is required to be stored for a minimum of two years, during which time it can be used as evidence related to a complaint, investigation or legal proceeding. Any recorded data that is not used as evidence within two years will be scheduled to be deleted.

Alberta became the first Canadian province to mandate body-worn cameras for all frontline municipal police services and First Nations police services in March 2023, the province says.

The next step is to implement the cameras with Alberta Sheriffs.

It adds that police services are also able to leverage the provincial government’s contract with technology vendor Axon Canada.

Furthermore, Alberta’s says it has earmarked $20 million over the next three years to support municipalities and First Nations in adopting a provincewide, cloud-based digital evidence management system.

It says the system will make sure body-worn camera footage is stored and shared safely.

Once the provincial body-worn camera program is fully operational, it is expected to cost $5 million a year.