The head of the RCMP says her organization will begin the work of outfitting some of its officers with body cameras — a move that comes in the midst of a global wave of mass protests against police brutality.
The head of the RCMP says her organization will begin the work of outfitting some of its officers with body cameras — a move that comes in the midst of a global wave of mass protests against police brutality.
“The commissioner has confirmed that the RCMP will engage in work and discussion with policing partners and the NPF (the RCMP union) on a broader rollout of body-worn cameras,” said spokesperson Dan Brien in a media statement Monday evening.
“The commissioner agrees it is critically important for Canadians to feel protected by the police and is committed to take whatever steps are required to enhance trust between the RCMP and the communities we serve.”
Brien said members in operational roles will wear body cameras.
The policy shakeup comes following a phone call between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Commissioner Brenda Lucki earlier this morning.
“It is something that is, in my opinion, what we need to move forward with,” Trudeau told reporters.
Watch: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on RCMP and body cams
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he doesn’t recall who initially raised the idea to have RCMP officers outfitted with body cameras in his recent conversation with RCMP Commissioner Brenda Lucki. 1:37
Brien said the commissioner heard the prime minister’s message loud and clear and is working on a plan to deploy cameras.
It’s not clear how much the initiative will cost and who will pay for it.
The prime minister said he plans to raise the issue when he speaks with the premiers later in the week, “so we can move on it as quickly as possible.”
“I think there are discussions we need to go forward on logistics, on the cost, on the cost to provinces where there is contract policing in place,” Trudeau said.
“But the challenges that I’ve heard are more logistical and economic concerns about remote areas and the way those cameras would work.”
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