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At the end of every shift, the members dock their cameras and footage will be automatically uploaded.  A retention schedule that applies to police records will be applied to the storage of this data, depending on the nature of the interactions (ex. if footage is captured during a criminal investigation versus a bylaw investigation).

Following the announcement from the provincial government in March 2023, EPS initiated a proof-of-concept with body-worn video cameras for a second time with a select group of officers working within Healthy Streets Operations Centre, Transit and Community Safety and the High-Risk Encampment Team in July 2023 to assess the operational impacts of the cameras before rolling out service-wide.

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Yes, a policy and procedures provide officers with operational direction that includes but is not limited to recording in private and public places; retention and security of videos; and responsibilities for officers and supervisors.

As the cameras are deployed to areas of the Service, the officers will undergo pre-course online and in-person training covering organizational policy and procedures, technical training about how to operate the cameras and how to manage the BWV recordings in the digital evidence management software.

The Edmonton Police Service ran a body worn video pilot project from October 2011 through December 2014 to assess its value and capabilities.

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In 2022, the Edmonton Police Service piloted in car video to evaluate and decide on the best platform and technology for EPS. This was put on hold as our resources pivoted to body worn cameras. Currently, the EPS is not pursuing the use of in-car video.

When using a body-worn video camera, officers will weigh the law enforcement objective against privacy concerns and take reasonable steps to mitigate the impact on the individual’s privacy.

Edmonton Police Service > Newsroom > Body Worn Video: What you need to know > Body Worn Cameras - Frequently Asked Questions

There is no facial recognition technology built into the cameras, but footage may be used in conjunction with other facial recognition technology that EPS currently uses here.

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Rules surrounding the access of body-worn camera footage have been defined, all of which is auditable. Access will be based on the applicable legislative rules.

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At that time, the pilot project indicated there were several concerns with the technology and data management. Since then, the technology has improved, and it is now better suited to operational and investigative needs.

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Police officers will start to actively record their interactions with members of the public once they realize the nature of the interaction is investigative or enforcement related.

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We know that only proper use of body-worn video cameras will enhance public trust and legitimacy while improper use will have the opposite, detrimental effect on police/community relations.

Officers who have been issued body-worn video cameras will have the device in plain view.  The camera also has a light which indicates recording has been activated. Although not legally required, officers are trained to give verbal notice as soon as reasonably possible that a body-worn video camera is in operation. The timing of this notice may vary depending on the context of the encounter.

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Body-worn video cameras were mandated by the Government of Alberta in March 2023. As a result, Edmonton Police officers will be displaying a body-worn video camera through their interactions with the public.

The purpose of a body-worn video camera is to capture some interactions taking place between police officers and members of the public. They are not intended to be used to capture every single aspect of an officer’s activities during their day.

Cameras were deployed as part of a proof of concept to officers within Healthy Streets Operations Centre, Transit and Community Safety and the High-Risk Encampment Team in July 2023.

Like any other allegation of misconduct, complaints can be made to the Professional Standards Branch. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, officers could face any number of disciplinary actions dependent on the nature of the allegations and the reasons why the breach of policy occurred.

Body Worn Video cameras are expected to be deployed to the rest of the service in Spring 2025. The order in which other areas will receive body worn video cameras is yet to be determined. Remaining public-facing areas will receive cameras based on resources and implementation timeline.