Body-worn cameras provide an unbiased, independent account of police/community interactions. They are an investment in the Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service’s commitment to delivering accountable and transparent policing services. Whether they are used to legitimize an engagement between an officer and a member of the public, provide evidence in court, or offer an unbiased alternative to allegations of misconduct, every frontline WTPS officer will eventually be equipped with a body-worn camera.
When will the body-worn camera be turned on and turned off?
Body-worn cameras are overt recording devices that are activated during: calls for service, investigations, law enforcement activities. They are turned off when those activities are completed or when the officer determines that continuous recording is no longer serving its intended purpose.
Are you going to film inside my house? My church? My business? My school? During ceremony?
Officers must identify potential privacy risks and ensure that measures are taken to mitigate those risks, such as in these situations:
- inside a residence
- where there is exposure to private health information or medical treatment being received
- in a law office
- in a place of worship
- if people are nude or have exposed private body areas
- when children or youth are present, are victims, or are the subject of an investigation
- if victims or witnesses are reluctant to cooperate or ask officers not to record in a sensitive situation
If you are captured on a video or audio recording, and are not directly involved in the incident, your face will be blurred or sections of the video will be redacted, if the footage is going to be used in court proceedings.
Will a WTPS officer tell me if I’m being filmed?
Yes, unless the officer determines there is a safety risk in doing so.
How will I know if a body-worn camera is ‘on’ during my encounter with a member of the Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service?
All officers will have the body-worn camera in plain view, and the camera has lights and notices indicating it has been activated. While officers aim to notify individuals when recording begins, the timing of this notice may vary depending on the context of the encounter.
Is there a policy or procedure that governs how officers use the body-worn camera?
Yes, a procedure has been approved and it provides officers with operational direction that includes but is not limited to recording in private and public places; retention and security of videos; and responsibilities for supervisors.
Who can review the recordings?
Viewing the recordings is restricted to investigation or training purposes, and in accordance with WTPS guidelines and policies. Only the officer who took the recording and other designated staff with approval can view the video. The system is designed to prevent tampering, ensuring the integrity of all recordings.
I was recorded. How do I see the video?
Recordings will only be released in accordance with Part 2 or Part 3 criteria in the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).
How long are recordings kept?
A recording is automatically deleted within 2 years unless there is a reason to retain it longer, such as for court purposes or an ongoing investigation. Once all court processes are complete, the recording will be deleted. They may also be kept for training purposes as long as that training remains relevant.