Some Ottawa police officers now wearing body-worn cameras

Ottawa police to wear cameras

Some Ottawa police officers are now wearing body-worn cameras while on patrol and responding to calls, as part of the body-worn camera pilot project this fall.

The Ottawa Police Service announced it deployed 30 Axon Body-Worn Cameras on Monday, which will be worn by members of the Crisis Intervention Team and designated sergeants on the frontline.

Officers will wear the cameras during their regular duties, including responding to calls involving individuals in crisis.

“All equipped officers have completed comprehensive training on activation, usage, privacy, data retention, and public disclosure methods,” police said in a media release.

“This is the first step toward broader adoption. We anticipate expanding the use of body-worn cameras throughout the service in 2026–2027, as part of the OPS’ ongoing commitment to accountability, transparency, and strengthening public trust.”

The 30 Axon Body Worn 4 body-worn cameras, including hardware and licenses, cost $592,860 for a 39-month term.

Police say the body-worn cameras offer “several operational and community benefits,” including:

• Transparency: the cameras provide an “unbiased visual and audio record of police interactions,” according to police.
• Accountability: “allow for review of officer conduct and reinforce professional standards,” police said.
• Evidence Collection: offer video and audio evidence for investigations and court proceedings
• Training: assist with officer development and best practice evaluation
• De-escalation: presence of body-worn cameras can help reduce tension during interactions.
• Objective Reporting: provide a factual record of events to support clear incident documentation.
• AI-Enhanced Tools: integration with the Ottawa Police Service’s Digital Evidence Information Management System (DEIMS) allows for automated transcription, translation (up to 50 languages), and court-ready redaction.
• Real-Time Streaming: enables live video feed to the OPS Real Time Operations Centre (RTOC) during critical incidents.

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.