Royal Canadian Mounted Police use of Body Worn Video
Date: July 7, 2020
Classification: Unclassified
Fully releasable (ATIP): Yes
Branch / Agency: RCMP
Issue:
The RCMP has agreed to advance progress on the implementation of body worn video across the national police service.
Proposed Response:
- The Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police agrees it is critically important for Canadians to feel protected by the police and is committed to take whatever steps are required to enhance trust between the RCMP and the communities it serves.
- To that end, the RCMP will engage in work and discussion with policing partners, the National Police Federation, and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner on a broader implementation of body-worn cameras.
- Body-worn video provides increased transparency, while also providing a first-person view of what a police officer encounters, oftentimes in highly dynamic and tense situations.
- The RCMP continually reviews its policies, procedures and equipment to ensure it is using the most effective tools in law enforcement. The national police service has reviewed previous research and studies to draw best practices, with the desire to implement body-worn video across the organization.
- The RCMP values the trust and confidence of Canadians, and will continue to work on and improve its services in support of public safety for all Canadians.
Background:
In 2010, the RCMP conducted a body worn video (BWV) pilot. Limited research data was obtained as a result of the implementation of a small number of devices. No technical evaluation of the camera equipment was conducted as they were acquired based on accessibility.
In October 2013, an additional BWV project was initiated. Cameras were deployed due to exigent circumstances. There was no camera technical evaluation conducted and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC) was advised of this action before it took place.
The BWV feasibility study was undertaken to: confirm it is a sound investment; evaluate all issues to be addressed such as privacy, legal and storage; confirm best evidence capture to support criminal investigations and court proceedings; and determine the viability of this technology for front-line operations. This study has included technical evaluations, a literature review and several small pilots. Trials have assessed potential impact to member safety, tactical considerations and evidentiary value for court proceedings.
Several limited pilots collected data on specific variables including: audio and video quality; video data file size; mounting compatibility in various positions; and, officer safety. Cameras researched and tested had issues with battery life and durability. Additionally, cameras do not always adequately capture the incident due to mounting difficulties. To date, no camera has been found that meets all of the RCMP requirements. As a result, a request for information (RFI) was prepared to determine industry feedback on BWV camera capability. The RCMP received 25 responses as a result of the RFI. Many of these cameras have already been reviewed as part of the feasibility study.
In 2015, a privacy impact assessment (PIA) was completed for BWV. It was received by the OPC who provided their comments and recommendations. The RCMP has worked closely with the OPC over the past 24 months on this study. Consultation is ongoing.
In 2016, following an extensive feasibility study on the potential implementation of BWV, the RCMP announced it will postpone a force-wide implementation until such time as available technology can meet its specific operational requirements.
The nature of policing performed by the RCMP and the environments in which it polices make it challenging to identify a camera model that meets the needs of the RCMP in diverse communities across Canada. The primary challenge to overcome is not the camera itself as the actual hardware has advanced significantly since 2015, while some gaps remain. The details and volume of video footage that is recorded remain the greatest challenge in order to address ATIP requests and disclosure requirements in an efficient manner. The RCMP still faces the challenge of managing recorded video files in that respect, and must consider the risk of an added workload on its members if not addressed as part of the planning and costing assessment. The RCMP needs to have confidence in the product, tools, and processes, and ensure that such implementation justifies the investment of tax payers’ money.
A pilot is being considered in V Division (Nunavut) as part of the discussion taking place for the greater implementation of BWC. The level of readiness in the Territory to proceed would inform the prioritization exercise, in consideration with the technology and infrastructure that is required and available to proceed.
The methods, technology and financial implications involved in storing, managing and retaining massive quantities of video that must meet RCMP information management practices, court disclosure requirements and adhere to the Privacy Act and Library and Archives Canada Act also need to be taken into consideration before deploying technology such as BWV.
At RCMP National Headquarters, the RCMP maintains a small quantity of BWV to support limited and small-scale rapid deployment as requested by divisional operations. The RCMP continues to monitor the advancements and evolution of BWV technology as well as its application within the Canadian policing context with the goal of eventually identifying a camera that meets the specific needs.
Storage and retention of BWV evidence will involve new costs and require significant data storage solutions. The RCMP Chief Information Officer (CIO) is evaluating the option of cloud storage including assessing the security of such solutions to safeguard protected information according to federal standards.
Contacts:
Prepared by: Konrad Roberts, A/Senior Policy Analyst, Contract and Indigenous Policing, RCMP – 343 542 2628
Approved by: Brian Brennan, Deputy Commissioner, Contract and Indigenous Policing, RCMP – 613 843 4632
- Date modified: