Toronto police launching body camera pilot project
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About 100 officers in four units will be wearing body cameras as part of a year-long pilot project.
"The cameras will be turned on when a police officer responds to a call for service, when investigating an individual or any time a police officer is speaking to somebody for the purpose of collecting their information," said Meaghan Gray, Toronto police spokeswoman. The project is expected to cost around $500,000.
Mayor John Tory touched on the pros and cons of body cameras.
"There’s a great deal to be said in terms of the transparency that body-worn cameras will bring," he said.
"But then there are privacy considerations both for police officers in some respects and also, of course, more importantly in a way, for members of the public."
Police say the cameras will be turned off during casual conversations with the public.
Toronto police also want the public’s input. They’ve mailed out thousands of surveys to residents. ■