Source: X | Twitter/@lpsmediaoffice | London Police Service ON
The London Police Services has just begun their roll out phase of body cameras. The program will equip LPS officers with a body camera that they have to turn on to record while they’re on call. The program will roll out week by week to give time for the officers to learn how to use the new equipment and make sure they are aware of the proper protocols.
Deputy Chief Treena MacSween explained that the advantages of the body cameras are that they will help make officers more efficient.
“It’s about finding efficiencies, so instead of an officer taking a written statement with a pen and a piece of paper, for example, our officers now can record a statement on scene through the camera and then upload it into the server here at London Police,” says MacSween.
MacSween also explained that this would allow officers to get back on the road and answer calls quicker which would lead to quicker service. The officers will not need consent from anyone to record. Most Londoners agree that this will be a good thing although some Londoners don’t see it that way.
“I agree with it because if you’re not doing anything wrong then you shouldn’t have an issue with them recording you and it’s for their own safety. They have families at home as well and they want to keep themselves safe,” says Ava Roling a person living in London.
Daniel Perry another person residing in London shared his thoughts on the matter.
“It isn’t black and white. There’s always circumstances to it of itself, so my personal thought is that it has potential for both good and for misuse,” says Perry.
Most Londoners do believe that this new program will lower crime in the city.
“I don’t think there will be as much (crime) because they know that they’re going to be recording and they know 100 per cent that they’re going to get caught for whatever they’re doing,” says Roling.
The main concern of the LPS regarding the body cameras is that citizens won’t be properly informed about how they work and what their benefits are to they’re safety.
“I just really want to encourage any members of the public who have questions to visit the website and if there’s any questions that they were not able to answer via the website, we’re always here to address any concerns and answer any questions, so don’t hesitate to reach out,” stated MacSween
The body camera program will cost $1.5 million in 2025 which comes from the multi year budget approved in 2024 of $672 million that will be split among the following four years. The next year in 2026 it will cost $1.9 million and then in 2027 it will cost $700, 000. After that MacSween explained that the rest of the costs that will go into the program are just operational to make sure everything is up to date.
