SMITHERS, B.C. – RCMP officers in Smithers will now be wearing body-worn cameras while on duty, the detachment announced Thursday morning. The move is part of a national initiative aimed at increasing police transparency and accountability.
Officers with the Smithers RCMP have completed their training on the new equipment. According to the RCMP, the cameras will be activated during interactions with the public, such as during arrests, use-of-force incidents, or when taking witness statements, all in accordance with national policy.
The stated goals of the body-worn camera project are to strengthen public trust, help resolve complaints more quickly, and improve evidence gathering.
“We welcome the use of body-worn cameras because we want the public to see how we handle the often complex and challenging situations we face every day,” said the Acting Detachment Commander for the Smithers RCMP in a press release.
The implementation in Smithers is part of a Canada-wide rollout, with other detachments in the Skeena region also expected to adopt the technology.
The RCMP has made its national policy on the use of body-worn cameras available to the public online. Residents are also being encouraged to share their views on the technology through a national survey.
