The Thunder Bay Police Service will begin deploying body worn cameras starting Monday, April 12, 2021.
The TPBS wishes to inform those who live in Thunder Bay and the surrounding areas that their interactions with our front-line officers may be audio and video recorded. The deployment of these cameras is part of the TBPS’s Digital Evidence Management project. Learn more about that project here: https://thunderbaypolice.ca/DEM.
The body worn cameras will eventually be worn by all front-line primary response officers as well as officers assigned to the Traffic Unit. It is anticipated the full deployment will be completed by June, 2021. The deployment also includes in-car cameras to all front-line police vehicles.
The TBPS has embarked on a dynamic project with AXON to enhance public safety and to strengthen accountability to the people we serve and protect. More than just body worn and in-car camera systems, the AXON project will see the introduction of a digital evidence management system that is designed to create a more efficient and effective flow of evidence.
This report (https://www.thunderbaypolice.ca/sites/default/files/pdfs/tbps_bwc_report.pdf) details the results of the TBPS’s 2018 pilot project, which found the adoption of a digital evidence management system could:
• Enhance transparency, public trust and confidence
• Enhance officer accountability
• De-escalate volatile situations
• Collection and transfer of evidence for disclosure
• Protect officers from unfounded allegations of misconduct