BODY WORN CAMERAS

body worn camera on police vest

On June 24, 2022, the last group of Cobourg Police Service constables completed the body worn camera training. Public-facing special constables and uniform officers are now equipped with body worn cameras. Over the next few months, CPS will continue to share information on the program. Look for the Q&A series on social media. Another engagement opportunity will happen in the fall of 2022. 

“The Cobourg Police Services Board and the Cobourg Police Service share a commitment to transparency and accountability to the community and strive to provide members with the tools to be successful in their role and deliver service excellence to those we serve. Through public consultation, sharing information, and learning from other police services in the province, we ensure we have the equipment and technologies that our members and community deserve. Body Worn cameras provide an unbiased account of police and community interactions and will strengthen our investigative processes. In today’s environment, there is an expectation of increased transparency from police. Body worn cameras are becoming more common across Ontario and help ensure public trust and accountability.”  – Chief Paul VandeGraaf

The mission of the Body Worn Cameras Program:

  • Accuracy and quality of evidence and collection and the related judicial oversight processes.
  • Maintaining trust through transparency with our community, our members, and partners.
  • Enhancing accountability of both our members and the members of the community.
  • Body worn cameras will also provide information on the effectiveness of our procedures and training.
Police officer giving presentation at a podium

Body Worn Camera Town Hall

On June 22, 2022 Cobourg Police Service held a town hall to share information, outline the policy directive, and answer questions from the public on the body worn camera program. Sergeant Paul Legere delivered a short presentation as part of the town hall event. Resources from the town hall are provided below.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Who will be wearing body worn cameras in Cobourg?

Public-facing Special Constables and Uniform Officers will be equipped with body worn cameras. Auxiliary members will not be issued body worn cameras.

When will the body worn camera be turned on and turned off?

​A police officer will turn on the body worn camera prior to arriving at a call for service; when they start investigating an individual; or when they are asking a person questions for the purpose of collecting their information.

Body worn cameras continually buffer a thirty second loop of film in stand-by mode so when the officer starts the recording, the previous thirty-seconds are captured. There is no audio recorded in the thirty-second buffer recording prior to the record button being activated.

A police officer will turn off the body worn camera when the call for service or investigation is complete or when the officer determines that continuous recording is no longer serving its intended purpose.

Are the body worn cameras recording all the time?

No. Officers will record for investigative or enforcement purposes.  Body worn cameras will not be  recording during:

  • General patrol
  • Administrative tasks
  • At community events
  • For non-investigative functions

 

How will I know if a body worn camera is “on” during my encounter with a member of the Cobourg Police Service?

​The body worn camera is in plain view, and the camera has a red light indicating it has been activated. Members are trained to give notice as soon as reasonably possible that a body worn camera is in operation. The timing of this notice may vary depending on the context of the encounter.

How will the data from the body worn cameras be downloaded?

At the end of every shift members dock the cameras for charging encrypted audio and video files are uploaded to the cloud. Videos can only be deleted by authorized personnel in accordance with the retention schedule. A video that is part of an active investigation or court matter will not be deleted.

Who is permitted to edit the body worn camera data?

Only the Digital Evidence Management Unit staff will be permitted to edit/vet the body worn camera data, as per the Service procedure.

How do the police manage the privacy interests of a complainant or victim of crime?

Police officers are trained on how to manage situations that may be sensitive in nature. Appropriate vetting and editing of body worn camera data will be done for disclosure purposes, as required.

How do the police manage the initial contact with a victim, patient, uninvolved staff or other member of the public?

Police officers are trained on how to manage situations that may be sensitive in nature, such as when children are present, during a sexual assault or domestic violence investigation, or when a person is in a state of undress. Body worn cameras will typically not be used in hospitals, school, places of worship, courtrooms, etc.

Can an officer record in my home?

Occupants in a private residence can ask an officer to not record, unless the officer is there in exigent circumstances or on the authority of a search warrant. In this case, the officer will continue to record.

If I have been recorded, can I ask to see the video? Can I ask to have it deleted?

Under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), an individual can submit a Freedom of Information request for footage.

Videos will only be deleted in accordance with retention periods.

Will body camera footage be released to the public or media?

Body worn camera footage will only be released to the general public or media with the explicit authorization of the Chief of Police where a compelling public interest exists.

Is there a policy or procedure that governs how officers use the body worn camera?

Yes, a procedure has been approved and it provides Cobourg Police Service members 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. The procedure has been made available online at cobourgpoliceservice.com. Click here to access a copy of the procedure.

What happens if an officer does not follow procedures?

Like any other allegation of misconduct, complaints can be made to the Office of the Independent Police Review Director. Once investigated, officers may face any number of disciplinary actions.

What are the camera features?

Cobourg Police Service is using the Axon Body 3 model

Axon Body 3 Camera features:

  • 12+ hours of battery life
  • 146°Diagonal field of view camera lens
  • IP67 rating*
  • US Military Standard MIL-STD-810G
  • Drop Test 6 feet (Ambient),
    4 feet (Cold)
  • Operating Temperature -20 C to 50 C
  • 30 frames per second
  • 1080P/ 720P/ 480P Resolution
  • Encryption AES-XTS 128-bit
  • Embedded GPS
  • LTE Connectivity
  • Wi-Fi Positioning (WPS)
  • Bluetooth Interconnectivity
  • 4 Microphones
  • LCD Display
  • Cameras have a thirty second buffer loop. There is no audio recorded in the thirty second buffer
How much does the body worn camera program cost?

The body worn camera program is part of the Officer Safety Plan. This all-encompassing program equips officers with the latest technology and streamlines digital evidence management capabilities and reporting processes, reducing time spent on administrative tasks. In turn, officers can return to serving the community faster.

The Officer Safety Plan includes:

  • body worn cameras and required equipment
  • hardware and software components required to implement the program, including: 
  • training, including virtual reality empathy training for officers
  • replacement tasers

The cost of implementing the Officer Safety Plan (which includes the body-worn camera program) will be covered by Cobourg Police Service Business Centre and comes at no cost to the taxpayers for the five-year contract term.

BODY WORN CAMERA RESOURCES

Cobourg Police Service Body Worn Camera Procedure

To view the Cobourg Police Service Body Worn Camera Procedure, please click HERE.

November 4, 2021 - Officer Safety Plan Report to Cobourg Police Services Board

At a special Cobourg Police Services Board meeting held on November 4, 2021, Chief Paul VandeGraaf presented the financial impact of a proposed comprehensive Officer Safety Plan, which included the body worn camera program and replacement tasers. To view the report in the agenda of the special meeting, please click HERE.

July 20, 2021 - Presentation on the use of body-worn cameras

The Cobourg Police Services Board received a comprehensive report at a meeting held on Tuesday, July 20, 2021. You can access a recording of the report presentation and the presentation slides below.

To view the presentation via Youtube video: HERE

To view the pdf version of the presentation slides, please click HERE.

August 2020: Community Consultation - Body Worn Cameras Survey Results

In August 2020, Cobourg Police Service conducted a community consultation on the use of body worn cameras as it relates to police accountability, community safety, and privacy. Through the survey, we heard the community’s insights, perceptions and beliefs on body worn cameras which has helped inform the police service’s next steps.

Of the 211 respondents, 94% indicated support for the use of body worn cameras. Over half of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they would feel safer if a police officer is wearing a body worn camera; that body worn cameras will enhance police transparency and increase public trust; and will protect police against false accusations.

View the full report HERE

GUIDANCE FOR THE USE OF BODY-WORN CAMERAS BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES
Guidelines for the Use of Video Surveillance of Public Places by Police and Law Enforcement Authorities

ARCHIVED BODY WORN CAMERA MEDIA RELEASES AND REPORTS

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(905) 372-6821

info@cobourgpolice.com

107 King Street West, Cobourg, ON K9A 2M4

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Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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The Cobourg Police Service has a rich heritage in serving the town as well as policing from one of the most historic buildings in Cobourg. The Cobourg Police Service is a local service that patrols a service area containing the Municipality of Cobourg.