The Kitimat RCMP is preparing to equip its frontline officers with body-worn cameras, part of a national effort billed at increasing transparency and accountability in policing.
“We now have the body cameras here locally,” Sgt. Robert Gardner told Kitimat council during a quarterly update May 5. “We just haven’t done the training yet. Once that’s complete, we’ll be doing a lot of messaging at the detachment level before the cameras are rolled out. I’m excited to have them.”
Gardner delivered the update while presenting the RCMP’s quarterly report for January through March. He said the BWCs will help build public trust and improve evidence gathering.
“This is a big step in strengthening the transparency and accountability of both our members and the public,” he said. “It’s going to be valuable for evidence, especially when we respond to crime scenes.”
He noted the technology brings challenges—particularly around privacy—and will require careful preparation.
“There’s a lot of training involved, and the RCMP had to work through a number of privacy concerns when developing policies,” he said. “It’s going to be a big learning experience for our members.”
He compared the adoption of BWCs to the evolution of police uniforms.
“If you look at the red serge uniform, when it started in 1873, officers just had a pistol, a couple bullets, and handcuffs. Things have come a long way—and this is another big change,” he said.
Gardner said the rollout will include a public education campaign to help residents understand how and when the BWCs will be used.
“Once training is complete, there’s going to be strong communication with the public,” he said. “It’s something new, and there are privacy concerns. We have the policies in place, and we’re ready to make sure this is handled properly.”
RCMP national headquarters confirmed the nationwide rollout of BWCs began Nov. 18, 2024. As of March, more than 2,000 cameras had been deployed, with rollout continuing at roughly 1,000 officers per month. By March 2026, 90 per cent of frontline RCMP members are expected to be using the technology, with full deployment projected within 12 to 18 months.
The devices, supplied by Axon Public Safety Canada Inc., are worn on the chest. The public will know when a device is recording by red lights flashing below the lens, according to national headquarters.
“Body-worn cameras serve as an independent, unbiased, and objective way to capture interactions between the community and police officers, which can help increase trust between police and the communities they serve,” the RCMP said. “It will also help resolve public complaints more quickly, and improve evidence gathering.”
More than 10,000 BWCs will be deployed nationally by the end of the rollout. RCMP emphasized that officers are trained in proper use, and that the devices are not used for surveillance, constant recording, or in locations with high expectations of privacy, such as washrooms, hospitals, treatment centres, or during strip or internal body cavity searches.
“The use of body-worn cameras and the digital evidence management system will be a national standard for all frontline general duty police officers across the country, as part of ongoing efforts to be transparent and accountable to the communities we serve,” the RCMP said.
The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia (OIPC BC) has issued guidance on the use of BWCs, emphasizing they can enhance transparency and accountability, but must be deployed carefully to protect privacy rights.
