Half a dozen St. Thomas police officers will be equipped with body-worn cameras as of October 1.
A total of 12 cameras have been acquired for the 120-day pilot project aimed at building public trust and enhancing officer and public safety. Six of the cameras will be worn per shift, while the remaining six will have their data downloaded and be recharged.
The cameras will be rotated amongst officers on community patrol. But since not every officer on shift will be equipped with a body camera during the pilot, not every interaction with the public will be recorded, the police service noted.
"Body-worn cameras will undoubtedly assist with improving the high-quality public service expected of police officers and enhance police accountability while at the same time increasing public trust," Chief Chris Herridge said in a statement. "We have come so far in developing and strengthening relationships with our community, and in my opinion, body-worn cameras will only boost our ability to improve the overall well-being of St. Thomas."
The body-worn cameras are being supplied by Axon, the company that also supplies St. Thomas police with Tasers.
The pilot project will run until January 2021.