Body camera researcher says Vancouver public has been misled about use

As Vancouver city council is set to debate police officer-worn body cameras, a researcher says the public has been misled about their use.

The motion, if approved, will look to find out how much the chest-mounted police tech will cost Vancouverites if every VPD officer on patrol gets one by 2025.

Read More: Vancouver city council to discuss body cams for VPD officers

A sociology professor at Brandon University, Chris Schneider, has published several peer-reviewed papers on police body cameras.

“When we look at the academic research literature, these cameras have quickly rolled out largely on the basis of beliefs and assumptions about the camera technology,” Schneider told CItyNews.

“I mean, frankly, the council is seduced by the idea of body-worn cameras, much like the public, are seduced by it.”

The professor points to a study done in California in 2015, which found that body cams reduced police use of force and civilian complaints.

“There have been numerous replication studies, and the results have been mixed, at best,” Schneider explained.

“Spending all the money that is going to go into body-worn cameras for a technology that doesn’t really work the way in which the public is led to believe, I think is highly problematic.”

He says pilot projects were done in cities including Edmonton and Washington D.C. and found no significant difference in outcomes between cops who wore cameras and those who did not.

A number of police agencies in Canada already use body cameras, including the Toronto Police, Calgary Police and the RCMP, all of which are doing a phased rollout.

Privacy concerns raised by legal field

Vancouver criminal defence lawyer, Kevin Westell says charter rights that protect people from unreasonable searches will be at risk, and police officers with cameras have to be careful.

“Pointing a camera in someone’s direction, especially when you’re looking into their vehicle or looking into their private home – that’s a search,” Westall said.

“There’s going to be times when the cameras turned off on purpose, improperly. There’s going to be times where it’s turned off, or the officer simply doesn’t remember to turn it off and turn it on at the critical time. That’s going to be the subject of litigation.”

The BC Civil Liberties Association echoed privacy concerns in regard to police body cameras. Policy Director Meghan McDermott told CityNews council is playing into civilian fears without properly considering the privacy risk.

Cllr. Christine Boyle also expressed apprehension, suggesting a pilot program for the cameras before a full rollout.

Council will hear from public speakers on the matter during a meeting on Wednesday after the initial discussion was deferred on Tuesday.

-With files from Mike Lloyd