Body Worn Cameras
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As part of the RCMP's Vision150 modernization plan, we will be rolling out body-worn cameras and a Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) to RCMP officers across the country.
Project objectives
- Strengthening transparency, accountability and public trust
- Resolving public complaints more quickly
- Improving police and public behaviour
- Improving evidence gathering
Why we will use body-worn cameras
We are committed to ensuring that Canadians feel protected by, and have trust in their national police force. Body-worn cameras can help increase trust between police and the communities they serve because the video evidence collected will provide an independent, unbiased, and objective way to capture interactions between the community and police officers.
Which RCMP officers will wear body-worn cameras
Between 10,000-15,000 body-worn cameras will be deployed to contract and federal police officers who interact with communities, across Canada's rural, urban and remote locations.
Phased roll-out
Work is ongoing to acquire body-worn cameras and a Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) to support a nation-wide rollout of camera as quickly as possible. To begin, a field test, with up to 300 cameras will take place in three different RCMP Divisions:
- Alberta (K Division)
- Nova Scotia (H Division)
- Nunavut (V Division)
The testing will take place in northern/remote, rural, and urban settings. Field Test detachment locations will be confirmed once a vendor is in place.
Following the field test, the remaining cameras will be rolled out over the following 18 months.
Key facts
- How body-worn cameras support police and communities
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- more timely resolutions of complaints
- improved evidence gathering
- enhanced transparency and accountability for police
- improved police and public behaviour
Officers will activate their body worn cameras during calls for service, including:
- mental health calls
- interactions with people in crisis
- crimes in progress
- for investigations
- public disorder and protests
- to record information to support the performance of their duties
When possible, officers will let you know when the camera is recording. The decision to turn on a body-worn camera will happen before the officer arrives at a call for service. Policy and training will provide the guidance required for officers using body-worn cameras.
Body-worn cameras are not intended to be used for the purpose of:
- 24 hour recording
- surveillance
- when intimate searches are conducted
| Key milestones | Status | Estimated completion |
|---|---|---|
| Contract award | Ongoing | Fall 2022 |
| Policy and training development | Ongoing | Summer/Fall 2022 |
| Stakeholder engagement | Ongoing | Continuous |
| Rollout | Planning | 2023 (in stages) |
Note
In October 2022, the RCMP published a new body-worn cameras operational policy, in advance of camera rollout. The policy provides guidance and direction to RCMP officers on the use of body-worn cameras as well as their roles and responsibilities. To be transparent about our use of body-worn cameras, the RCMP is making the policy available to the public. To request a copy of the policy, email: BWC_policy_politique_CVC@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Stakeholder engagement
We have been meeting with various organizations, groups and community members across Canada to introduce body-worn cameras, and to better understand their concerns. If you are interested in being part of the conversation, contact us at bwc_consultations_cvc@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.
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