Saskatoon police to put body cameras on another 40 officers next year

More Saskatoon police officers will be outfitted with body cameras next year.

On Thursday, the Saskatoon Board of Police Commissionersreceived a report on doubling number of cameras in use for a pilot program that began this April. Forty officers are currently wearing the cameras and that will gradually increase to 80 in the coming year.

Coun. Hilary Gough, who is on the board, said the biggest concern voiced in a city survey done before the program started was around the policy of when a camera would be activated.

"I'm interest to know what that policy states and whether we know if that aspect of the policy is being consistently and successfully followed."

Sgt.Tom Gresty, who is assigned to the project, told the board officers are using the cameras whenever they are dispatched to a call.

"The analogy that we're using in training with our members is'seat belt on, seat belt off,' " Gresty said.

"Upon my arrival to a call for service, prior to taking my seat belt off to get out and start investigating, I'm gonna start recording," he said. "And I'm going to continue to record the the incident in its entirety until I'm done investigating.

"When I'm ready to drive away and put my seat belt on, I'm going to stop recording."

He said they are auditing the use of the cameras on a monthly basis.

In that city survey, done prior to start of the pilot program, 98 per centof community members supported the body cameras.

The cameras are being used to collect evidence along with audio and video statements from witnesses and victims, police say.

"Video from calls is also being used to train new recruits by having them wear cameras and then go over the footage with a senior officer," Grestysaid.

"[They will] review it and talk about things like grounds for arrest,officers safety, how to appropriately deal with victims and witnesses and suspects."

So far this year $198,000 has been spent toset up the program, buy hardware and purchase software licences.

Another $192,000 will be spent in2023 to expand the program.

Dale Johnstone, project manager for the pilot program, said it's too early to have hard data on the value and impact ofwearing body cams.

But anecdotally, he said the feedback has been positive from members andthe public.

"We've kind of taken the approach of what arethe stories we're getting from the community, from the crown, from victims, from members," Johnstone said.

2023 budget

The board also approved adding $750,000to the 2023 police budget, which is now estimated to be$113.724 million.

The 2023 operating budget was originally approved along with the 2022 operating budget as part of the city's two-year budget cycle.