Image: The Canadian Press / The commanding officer of the Mission RCMP detachment north of Abbotsford says he's grateful that Mounties in his community will be among the first to wear body cameras to record police interactions with the public.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Body cameras

Fraser Valley RCMP detachment among the first in B.C. to wear body cameras

Nov 21, 2024 | 12:55 PM

FRASER VALLEY — The commanding officer of the Mission RCMP detachment north of Abbotsford says he’s grateful that Mounties in his community will be among the first to wear body cameras to record police interactions with the public.

Insp. Ted Lewko says 44 cameras will be used by his officers starting next week, and he’s “very hopeful” that they will improve officer safety, strengthen trust with the public and help resolve complaints more quickly, according to a report from the Canadian Press.

Provincial police announced the rollout of the cameras in Surrey on Thursday (Nov. 22), discussing how thousands of Mounties across the province will soon be fitted with the devices.

Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, commanding officer of the RCMP’s E Division in B.C., said the project is the “largest and most ambitious rollout of body cameras across the province.” The body cameras will activate when RCMP members respond to a call for service and begin to engage with the person.

“You will see frontline officers wearing the cameras on the front of their vests,” Commissioner McDonald said. “The camera is powered on during the entire shift in a buffering mode, but must be activated by the officer in order to record audio and video. The camera automatically saves 30 seconds of video prior to activation by the officer. This will give a clear visual picture of what was happening leading up to the camera’s activation.”

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McDonald said calls for body-worn cameras originated from “local, regional, Indigenous and provincial leaders to address the overall need to enhance public trust” in policing, and the cameras are a part of the national standard for RCMP members.

Mounties estimate about 300 cameras will be issued to officers in Mission first, followed by Tofino and Ucluelet on Vancouver Island, and Cranbrook, Kamloops and Prince George.

Provincial police believe the national deployment of body cameras is expected to be completed by the end of next year.