WESTLOCK — Frontline officers at the Westlock RCMP detachment have begun using body-worn cameras following training earlier this month, as part of a nationwide rollout aimed at enhancing transparency and public trust.
The 12-month initiative, launched in fall 2024, will see between 10,000 and 15,000 cameras deployed to RCMP officers across Canada, with Alberta detachments among the first to adopt the technology
“The objectives of body worn cameras are to increase transparency, accountability, public trust, and help resolve public complaints more quickly,” Westlock RCMP S/Sgt. Jeff Sehn told Westlock County council during a presentation at their regular meeting on Feb. 25. “It will improve interactions with the public and police. Both sides will be on better behaviour than they normally would.”
The cameras provide high-quality audio and video evidence, supporting investigations and court proceedings while promoting respectful encounters. Sehn said the devices can also transcribe statements, streamlining documentation.
Coun. Sherri Provencal asked if the RCMP have enough people to watch the body-worn camera videos. Sehn said that while no one actively watches all footage, recordings will be reviewed if used in court.
Officers can activate cameras before arriving at calls and during interactions with individuals in custody, or other situations they deem significant.
Each camera allows up to 25 remote live viewers, and GPS-enabled feeds can be accessed via an Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK) app on an officer’s phone. The Realtime Operations Centre (RTOC) at RCMP K Division in Edmonton can monitor live footage, offering real-time support during emergencies, said Sehn.
The RTOC—Canada’s only facility of its kind—operates 24/7, coordinating resources like the Emergency Response Team, Air Services, and Police Dog Services, said Edmonton RCMP Inspector Ryan Breitkreuz. It integrates data from 911 calls, real-time surveillance feeds, incident reports, and even social media updates—into one central hub. It tracks suspects in real time and provides officers on the ground instant support during emergency situations. Criminal analysts on-site quickly process and analyze this information, ensuring that officers in the field receive timely, actionable intelligence to make informed decisions.
In the event of an emergency, officers in the field have a direct line to the RTOC via a panic button on their body-worn cameras. A simple press of the button shows the team the officer's exact location, allowing the RTOC to dispatch help immediately.
