Delta Police patrol to start wearing body cameras next year

The Delta Police Department’s (DPD) patrol members will start wearing body cameras in February next year. The move comes following a six-month pilot project approved by a police board meeting last week.

Under DPD’s policy, public interactions will be recorded openly as part of law enforcement duties, any indiscriminate continuous recording will not be allowed. The department says there is strict access to BWC footage. Only an investigating officer, their supervisor, and those who have documented need will be able to see the videos.

DPD says their community consultation showed 90.3 per cent of the community supported expanding the BWC program. Police say they also received support from Tsawwassen First Nation Chief Laura Cassidy and the executive council.

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Delta Police Board Chair Mayor George Harvie said the community’s feedback was instrumental in approving the project.

“Our decision focuses on fostering community trust in police while allowing officers to do their job safely,” Harvie said.

DPD says BWCs will enhance transparency, public trust, safety, evidence documentation, and de-escalating conflicts.

According to DPD, the cost of the project which includes four additional body-worn cameras (BWC) and charging equipment will be approximately $6,400.

The DPD was the first police department in B.C. to deploy BWCs in May 2021, starting with the interdiction team, followed by the traffic section.