Toronto police to roll out additional body cameras this week
Posted October 26, 2020 1:12 pm.
Last Updated October 27, 2020 11:24 am.
Starting this week, some front line Toronto Police officers will be wearing body-cameras.
They’ll be rolled out in the west end at 11 Division, 22 Division in south Etobicoke and 52 Division’s community response unit downtown.
The areas include High Park, Bloor West Village, Roncesvalles and the Junction.
They’ll be used when an officer arrives at a call, begins an investigation or when asking people questions as part of an investigation.
“Body-worn cameras are one tool we can use to create trust and legitimacy between officers and the public as we look for ways to modernize policing services,” Chief James Ramer said in a release.
“This technology provides an independent, bias-free account of our interactions and reinforces our commitment to show communities they can feel safe and secure to enjoy their daily lives with the police.”
RELATED: Mayor Tory pushes for significant changes to policing in Toronto
In late August, Toronto police confirmed some officers started wearing body cameras after the force signed a five-year deal with Axon for $34 million that includes 2,350 cameras and cloud-based storage.
The company says the cameras’ real-time streaming will allow police to quickly deploy the resources necessary to help de-escalate a situation, including mental-health professionals or translators.
