Tag Archives: police body worn cameras

Edmonton Police Body Cameras On Hold Due To Lack Of Funding

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On January 23, 2016, CBC News reported, “The project is by no means a cheap one. With an initial hardware and software cost of $412,000 and an operating cost of $425,000, the program would run just shy of costing a million dollars.”

Amherstburg Police began its body camera pilot program for 30 days in April 2013 when the River Town Times reported police aren’t sure how big of a server will be required to store the data so it is unknown how much the entire project will cost if brought on board on a permanent basis. The article quoted Amherstburg Police Chief Tim Berthiuame, “At the end of the 30 days we will see how big of a server we will need and if it’s a good fit for the Amherstburg Police.”

The Amherstburg Police project was scheduled to conclude its study by the end of 2014, but in 2015, Amherstburg chief wanted all front-line police to wear body cameras.

Guidelines for police on body-worn cameras

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Wendy Gillis, the star, reports today on the “new guidelines released by the federal and provincial information watchdogs Wednesday — principles experts say will provide police with much-needed direction when using the fast-expanding policing tool.”

The document, Guidance for the use of body-worn cameras by law enforcement authorities, is posted on the Office of the Privacy Commissioner Canada’s website.

Amherstburg Police began wearing body cameras in the spring of 2013.

Amherstburg Police were to have conducted a final study by the end of 2014 to select a body worn camera for patrol officers or shelve project if not feasible for APS needs, according to the 2014 ~ 2016 Business Plan.

Julie Kotsis, The Windsor Star, reported at the end of 2014, “No decision has been made on their permanent use, according to Berthiaume, who added he recently updated the Amherstburg Police Services Board and plans a re-evaluation in the spring.”

The True Cost of Police Body Worn Cameras

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Finally, the true technology related cost of the cameras is revealed, as reported in Hamilton News:

“Ferguson’s comments followed a presentation on the cameras made to the board on Monday by police staff that indicated the cost to introduce them could be about $3.8 million in the first year and total approximately $14.8 million over five years. The costing includes hardware, storage infrastructure, software and staffing. Based on a five-year lifespan for the hardware, the initial investment would reoccur at the end of the fifth year.

The presentation also highlighted various legislation and privacy issues that would need to be addressed if officers were to wear the cameras that can record video and audio.”

Ottawa Police Chief Charles Bordeleau wants no part of officers wearing body-worn cameras and questioned the cost.

Amherstburg Police is scheduled to conclude its study by the end of 2014 and select a body worn camera for patrol officers or shelve the project if not feasible for APS needs.

Hard to imagine this technology is feasible and affordable in Amherstburg when large services dismiss it due to high costs, including the cost of transcription to submit evidence in court.