Starting Thursday, September 16, 2021, the Durham Regional Police Services (DRPS) will begin a phased deployment of Body-Worn Cameras (BWCs).
BWCs will be deployed to front-line officers in the Traffic Services Branch, and the West and North Division community police offices that support Pickering, Ajax and north Durham. Future phases will see deployment continue across the region, including Whitby, Oshawa and Clarington.
The rollout follows a year-long pilot project to determine the value of BWCs to the DRPS, our partners and the community regarding evidence collection, trust, transparency, accountability and service effectiveness. Following that project, which included community engagement, the BWC program was endorsed by the Police Services Board and received funding approval from Durham Regional Council. A comprehensive training program was then implemented to prepare for this deployment.
Body Worn Camera Resources:
The DRPS invites anyone with any concerns or questions to contact the BWC office at BWC@drps.ca.
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ORIGINAL MEDIA RELEASE ISSUED JULY 8, 2021
Body Worn Camera Project Moves to Next Phase
The next phase of the body worn camera (BWC) project is set to begin in Durham Region. The DRPS is pleased to announce that we have reached an agreement with AXON Public Safety Canada Inc, to provide the DRPS with body worn cameras (BWC).
The findings of the BWC pilot project were presented to the Police Services Board in September 2020. The Board recommended the adoption of BWC as a part of their draft Action Plan for Enhancing Trust and Confidence in Policing in Durham Region. On February 24, 2021, the funding was approved by Regional Council.
The contract is for a 5-year term beginning June 29, 2021 and will provide up to 600 cameras and related software to our officers. The cost to DRPS of this contract is approximately $882,000 per annum for a total of $4.4 million over the 5-year term.
DRPS will now conduct a phased deployment across the Region. The 2021 budget includes $2.03 million in funding for this new program. The funding includes costs for technology, services, training and staffing to support this new program.
In this current phase, the BWC team has begun structuring the training, and the BWCs will be deployed to uniformed front-line officers in the community police offices covering the areas of Pickering, Ajax and communities in north Durham beginning September 2021.
DRPS will be continuing our community consultation throughout the program by engaging with community partners and stakeholders. The DRPS welcomes any feedback and invites the community to visit our website for continuous updates and further information.
The DRPS also invites anyone that has any concerns or questions to contact the BWC office at BWC@drps.ca.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
