Body-Worn and In-Car Video

WRPS is constantly seeking to improve, modernize, and incorporate technology to advance the policing profession. Body-Worn Video (BWV) and In-Car Video (ICV) systems will provide accountability and transparency while balancing privacy rights with law enforcement needs in a variety of ways, including:

1. Enhanced public trust/confidence and police accountability through the accurate capturing of records of police interactions with the public;
2. Enhanced public & officer safety;
3. A strengthened commitment to bias free service delivery to the public;
4. Improved evidence for investigative, judicial and oversight purposes;
5. Improved capacity to resolve complaints in a fair and timely fashion; and,
6. Better availability of information to improve the effectiveness of Service procedures and training.

This project will include engagement and input from project stakeholders, such as community groups and outside agencies with whom the WRPS regularly interacts. Engagement with community stakeholders will take place throughout the pilot program to gather feedback and input for the potential development of a permanent program.

The WRPS Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Unit will assist in connecting the Modernization Project team with community groups with a vested interest in BWV technology for direct feedback.

During the pilot, officers will make information sheets available to anyone who has interacted with officers wearing a BWV device. The information sheets will contain a QR code link to a voluntary survey to provide feedback on specific interactions. An online survey will also be made available to the entire community and an email address has been created for the community to interact directly with a project team member to ask questions and provide further feedback: Modernization@wrps.on.ca

BWV and ICV systems will provide police accountability while balancing privacy rights with law enforcement needs. Internal procedures have been created with the assistance of the “Model Governance Framework for Police Body-Worn Cameras in Ontario” developed by the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario. These clear procedures will ensure proper, consistent and credible use of BWV and ICV technology.

A Privacy Impact Assessment has been initiated by the Service to assess compliance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). Compliance is an essential foundation to protecting the right of privacy.  

This assessment focuses on the collection, use, retention, disclosure, security and disposal of personal information for both technology systems.  It also identifies the actual/potential effects BWV & ICV may have on an individual’s privacy and supports informed decision-making. 

The Service has taken significant steps to ensure the security of the video once it has been recorded.  These include, but are not limited to the following:

• Recordings are encrypted when captured;
• Recordings cannot be edited, altered, or deleted from the video device;
• Secure and encrypted uploading occurs from the video device to storage system;
• Security authentication steps are in place to ensure only those with authorized access can view recordings once they are uploaded;
• Development of automatic purging of videos based on established retention schedules; and,
• Redaction abilities for recordings are required for disclosure purposes.

A member of the public and/or their representative(s) may be allowed to view BWV and ICV recordings that capture an incident in which they were involved for certain purposes, such as:

• As required, consistent with and to assist in the investigation of a matter (e.g., to assist in identification, as part of an interview, witness preparation); and
• When attempting to informally resolve a complaint or potential complaint into the conduct of a WRPS member; such viewing will be at the discretion of the Professional Standards Branch Inspector.

What if I am an innocent bystander and a Body-Worn Video or In-Car Video system records me?

Does the technology have facial recognition?

Unlike other jurisdictions, there are significant privacy implications in Canada and Ontario that govern any Canadian police agency’s ability to release footage from the BWV and ICV systems. If it was determined that a video may protect the public and/or further an investigation, it may be vetted for release in the same way security videos are released.  In every case, the privacy of victims and uninvolved members of the public will always be considered.

The only time a request to turn off a Body-Worn Video system will be actioned is when an officer has entered a private residence or place and the owner/occupant does not provide consent to record. 

Officers will be permitted to activate the BWV systems under exigent circumstances when consent is not provided. 

An officer will turn on the Body-Worn Video system prior to arriving at a call for service; when they start investigating an individual; or, whenever they are enforcing the law.  The video will be used to capture investigative and enforcement activities and is not to be used to carry out general surveillance surreptitiously.  

An officer will turn off the Body-Worn Video system when the call for service, investigation, or enforcement is complete.  An officer is also allowed to turn the video off for the following reasons:

1. Policing activities that are not investigative or enforcement in nature;
2. During Strip Searches;
3. Administrative conversations not related to investigations or enforcement;
4. When using or discussing confidential police investigative techniques and/or procedures;
5. When information recorded would endanger the life or physical safety of an officer or any other person;
6. In a courthouse - except in exigency or legal authority; and
7. Indigenous/Religious/Spiritual Ceremonies - unless required for an investigative or enforcement purpose or permission is granted.

How do the police manage the initial contact with a victim, patient, uninvolved staff or other member of the public?  

What training will officers undergo prior to the launch of the pilot project?

Is there a policy or procedure that governs how officers use the technology?

Like any other allegation of misconduct for non-compliance with a procedure, complaint investigations can be initiated by the Chief of Police or made to the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD).  Once substantiated, officers may face any number of disciplinary actions, up to and including dismissal. 

 Will officers be able to watch the video whenever they choose?

How will the data from the Body-Worn Video systems be downloaded?

Who will be able to access the Body-Worn Video data?

Strict controls have been developed to govern who has access to the video footage.  The recording officer will have access to their own video data, along with their supervisor (for auditing purposes) and some officers from specialized investigative units.   Anyone else who is required to view the video will submit a formal request for access.  This process comes with a robust auditing and tracking system.

Who is permitted to edit the Body-Worn Video data?

How much will this pilot project cost?