Body-worn cameras will soon be the new normal for the bylaw officers who patrol Burnaby’s parks on bikes, according to a report to the city’s public safety committee this week.
Dave Critchley, Burnaby’s general manager of community safety, told the committee the city has signed a five-year deal with the supplier of the equipment, and staff will be trained in the use of the cameras starting this spring.
The city ran a one-year pilot program starting in March 2019 and garnered significant media attention when it put out a request for proposal for a body-worn camera supplier in December 2020.
Body cameras had been in the spotlight amid worldwide protests against police violence aimed at Black and Indigenous people – with calls growing for law enforcement to be equipped with video recorders to increase accountability.
In June 2020, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he would push provincial premiers to equip police with body-worn cameras.
Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley has said he would like to see Burnaby RCMP equipped with body cameras, but he told the NOW in January 2021 that that was beyond the reach of city hall’s powers.
For Hurley, the bylaw officers body camera program wasn’t related to policing but rather intended to increase transparency and accountability “from both sides” in interactions between city staff and the public.
“Whether we like it or not, when you go into a situation these days, most situations are recorded now in some form,” he said. “The full picture is important to have."
The bylaw body camera program is a new initiative being added to the city’s Community Safety Plan for 2022, according to Critchley.
His report on the plan says the footage from the cameras can be used as evidence in investigations and lawsuits.
“The (body-worn camera) program was part of a larger initiative to enhance public safety and security in city park space to deter nuisance and/or illegal activity in these areas, as well as increase compliance with animal control and parks bylaws,” the report states.
Once training is complete, the city’s bylaw bike patrol team, which patrols parks and public spaces throughout the city, will be deployed with the cameras.
“Supervisory staff will conduct annual audits to ensure the BWCs are being used in compliance with the training and privacy legislation,” states the report.
The body cameras are one of five new initiatives being added to the Community Safety Plan this year.
The city will also be installing five emergency call boxes in Central Park and working on an extreme weather response strategy as well as a “good neighbourhood guideline” and a civic building asset safety inspection program.
With files from Dustin Godfrey.
Follow Cornelia Naylor on Twitter @CorNaylor
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