ABC Vancouver wants body cams for officers

ABC Vancouver is making yet another big promise ahead of next month’s civic election, this time saying it will ask police officers to wear body cameras if the party forms a majority on council.

In a statement issued Tuesday, ABC says the ask would be for the VPD to implement the use of body-worn cameras “starting no later than” the summer of 2025.

The cameras would be worn by officers on patrol 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Incumbent councillor and ABC candidate Sarah Kirby-Yung claims the use of body cameras will improve transparency and protect the safety of front-line officers.

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Meanwhile, council candidate Brian Montague, a former spokesperson for the Vancouver Police Department, adds body cams in other jurisdictions “have greatly reduced legal costs for police departments, decreased investigation times, and have created certainty in those investigations.”

“Body-worn cameras are broadly supported by rank-and-file members and many community groups. Their usefulness in training cannot also be understated,” he said.

The Vancouver Police Department says in a statement that it remains open to this discussion — but the biggest issue is the cost of bringing this in.

In 2020, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to push premiers on body-worn cameras for officers. Calls for the use of this technology grew after violence and fatal incidents involving police were reported in both Canada and the U.S. over the past several years.

The RCMP is rolling out body cams for officers across the Canada as part of its Vision150 plan, with the goal of “strengthening transparency, accountability and public trust; resolving public complaints more quickly; improving police and public behaviour; and improving evidence gathering.”

We have reached out to police watchdog groups for comment.