Ottawa police to equip some officers with body-worn cameras starting in November

Thirty Ottawa police officers will begin wearing body-worn cameras in November as part of a new pilot project. CTV’s Stefan Keyes reports.

Thirty Ottawa police officers who respond to mental health and crisis intervention calls will soon be equipped with cameras, as the service rolls out a body-worn camera pilot project this fall.

A report for the Ottawa Police Services Board says beginning in November, 30 body-worn cameras will be deployed to selected members of the Crisis Intervention Team and designated Change Agents.

“As part of the Ottawa Police Service’s ongoing commitment to transparency, accountability, and community trust, we are launching a pilot project to implement body-worn cameras (BWCs) across frontline policing,” says the report, submitted by Chief Eric Stubbs.

“This initial rollout aligns with the Alternative Mental Health Support Initiative and responds directly to jury recommendations from the coroner’s inquest into the death of Abdirahman Abdi.”

Chief Stubbs said the cameras are “not cheap,” and the service can’t afford to roll it out to all officers immediately.

“You want to start small, learn a little bit, establish all your policies, your processes. During the pilot period, there will be consultations with the public. We’ve got a lot of steps we want to take before we consider a longer rollout,” Stubbs told Newstalk 580 CFRA’s The Morning Rush with Bill Carroll Wednesday morning.

“We’re one of the last larger police agencies, not just in Ontario, in the country that has not implemented this. So, there’s been a lot learning going on around the country with police agencies, as well as their policies, so we can benefit from that. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel.”

Ottawa Police Association president Matthew Cox says the association has been calling for the service to implement body-worn officers since 2012.

“Our members are entirely in favour of body-worn cameras. We want to be aligned with the rest of the big cities across Canada and we want to see body-worn cameras for our officers,” Cox told CTV News Ottawa Tuesday afternoon.

The Crisis Intervention Team is part of the Alternative Mental Health Support Initiative. The report says officers will use the cameras during their daily duties, including responses to calls involving individuals in crisis.

Officers participating in the body-worn camera pilot project will undergo training, including guidance on “managing sensitive situations and protocols for data disclosure,” according to police.

The report says the benefits of body-worn cameras include transparency, noting cameras “provide an unbiased visual and audio account of police interactions.” Other benefits include accountability by allowing supervisors to review officer conduct on the recorded footage, evidence collection, training and evaluation and protection for citizens and officers.

The purchase of the 30 Axon Body Worn 4 body-worn cameras, including hardware and licenses, will cost $592,860 for a 39-month term, according to the report.

“Body worn cameras (BWCs) represent a significant advancement in public safety and transparency,” the report says.

“By capturing real-time interactions between police officers and community members, BWCs help foster accountability, build trust, and provide an objective record of events. These devices enhance officer professionalism, support accurate reporting, and contribute to fair and transparent investigations. Importantly, BWCs also serve as a valuable tool in protecting the rights of both the public and law enforcement personnel.”

Police say there will be a media campaign to accompany the launch to ensure public awareness and transparency.

Cox says “hopefully” the service will expand cameras to all frontline officers following the pilot project.

“I just think that it’s important that we get this pilot underway. I know, like everything, it always comes down to budget restraints and I’m hopeful this won’t be something that’s slashed off if there’s a deficiency,” Cox said.

Stubbs told CTV News Ottawa he understands the public will want to be able to see body-worn camera footage, but it will depend on several factors.

“The way it works in the U.S., something happens at noon… it’s on the six o’clock news that day, the body-worn camera. It’s very, very different than here,” he said. “Depending on what processes might be in play with that particular camera... if there’s Criminal Code charges that are resulting, so there’s pending court; if it is an SIU file, all these things have to be considered.”

He said the Ottawa Police Service is late in getting the cameras, but that means they have been tested elsewhere.

“Everyone else has learned and developed policies and processes, so we don’t have to reinvent the wheel.”

The Ottawa Police Service initially planned to launch a pilot project to equip officers with body cameras at the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025, but the rollout was delayed at least a year due to financial pressures.

Police in Brockville and Cornwall use body-worn cameras for officers.