Wood Buffalo RCMP will be testing out new body cameras that officers will wear during their shifts. The idea behind the body cameras is that there will be more accountability, not just from police officers but also from citizens who come into contact with the officers. 12 members of the Wood Buffalo RCMP have been testing out the wearable body cameras since June 12 as part of the initial trial project, and they have been recording all of their interactions with the public. Other departments are also taking part in the trial project, and these include RCMP in Indian Head, and also Windsor, Nova Scotia. The move comes at a time when public sentiment in the USA seems to be against law enforcement, and many law enforcement officials are also in favor of the cameras so that an entire situation is recorded. Across North America cameras have caught police officers and members of the public acting badly, and there are two sides to every story.
The goal with wearable body cameras is to ensure that an encounter is fully documented, and both sides benefit when this happens. When discussing the use of body cameras by the Wood Buffalo RCMP Sgt. Keith Horwood said in a statement “The body worn camera project won’t impact day-to-day operations in Wood Buffalo. However, it is important for local citizens to realize that if you come into contact with an RCMP officer over the next four months, the possibility exists that the interaction will be filmed.”
