Will York police get body cameras? Short answer: They're looking at it
Force's entire fleet of cruisers being outfitted with in-car cameras now

YorkRegion.com
Nov. 1, 2016
Jeremy Grimaldi

The jury remains out on whether York police will be wearing body cameras in the coming years or not.

In the meantime though, the service is taking steps to ensure all its cruisers will be outfitted with in-car cameras.

The service's latest budget proposal includes a request for $131,000 to ensure each of the force's 225 cruisers will have the capability of filming interactions between police and the public in 2017. 

However not all interactions will be filmed by the cameras.

York police admitted that although the cameras are automatically switched on when the emergency lights are activated, Const. Andy Pattenden added the cameras can also be turned off by officers.

When asked when and if York police will be deciding on whether to purchase body cameras, manager of financial services, Jeff Channel, said the force is currently looking at Toronto police's 18-month pilot project to see how it turns out.

"It's an ongoing evaluation of body-worn cameras," he said. "We are considering it, I think all are looking towards Toronto's pilot. Is it effective and efficient for YRP? That's an open question."

In September, an estimate to outfit about 5,000 Toronto officers with body cameras came in at $85 million over 10 years.

A survey showed 95 per cent of public and 85 per cent of officers supported the use of cameras.

Details about the new in-car cameras were released as part of this year's budget request at York Regional Police Services Board on Wednesday Oct. 26.

The budget also included a further $197,000 to purchase new guns and tasers, bringing the force's total number of 'conductive energy weapons' to 155.

It further requests $630,000 for the new King substation that is to be completed alongside the King Township municipal offices at the end of 2017.

If passed, the police budget - at $310 million - will mark the first time a budget will breach the $300 million mark and will signify about one per cent of the region's approximate three per cent tax rise.

The in-car camera scheme is the continuation of a 2012 program at a then-cost of $2.1 million.

The budget will be voted on by regional council on Dec. 8.