Residents in Kitimat can expect to see a new addition to RCMP officers’ uniforms, as body-worn cameras begin to roll out in the community.
Body-worn cameras provide an impartial record of police interactions with the public, intended to build trust, improve evidence collection, and help resolve complaints more efficiently, the RCMP said in a release.
The RCMP had presented its plans for the rollout to Kitimat council in May. “It’s something new, and there are privacy concerns,” said Sgt. Robert Gardner. “But the goal is to improve transparency and accountability with the public.”
The chest-mounted cameras, supplied by Axon Public Safety Canada Inc., flash red lights below the lens when recording. Officers are instructed to activate the devices during a range of situations, including mental health calls, public disorder, protests, and other service-related duties.
Kitimat officers have completed the required training for body-worn camera use prior to the rollout. Kitimat RCMP has shared information about camera policy on their website and social media detailing how the devices will be used.
The policy states RCMP officers are required to activate their body-worn cameras while lawfully carrying out their duties—before arriving at a call for service, when initiating contact for investigative purposes, during custody interactions, and in any situation where recording may assist their responsibilities. Officers must make reasonable efforts to inform individuals they are being recorded, including inside private residences entered with consent. If that consent is withdrawn, the camera must be turned off or the officer must leave.
Recording must stop once the incident has concluded or no longer supports safety or the investigation. Covert recording is permitted only in brief, safety-related situations and must be clearly justified. Cameras cannot be used for surveillance or secret recordings, and are prohibited during strip searches or in locations where there is a high expectation of privacy—such as washrooms or treatment centres—unless specific exceptions apply.
The RCMP says these safeguards are intended to balance transparency and accountability with privacy rights, and that body-worn video is not a replacement for proper note taking or reporting, but is meant to supplement an officer’s observations.
The full policy is available on the policy page of the RCMP website – chapter 25.5, and a public survey is also open to gather feedback on the cameras’ use in communities.
“The RCMP is committed to being transparent and considering the needs of diverse individuals throughout this initiative,” Gardner said, noting that national consultations have been conducted with a range of groups.
The cameras are part of a national rollout that began in November last year. According to RCMP national headquarters, more than 2,000 cameras had been deployed by March, with roughly 1,000 more added each month. The plan aims for 90 per cent of frontline members to be equipped with the technology by March 2026, with full deployment expected within 12 to 18 months.
The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia (OIPC BC) has issued guidance supporting the cameras’ potential to enhance transparency, while stressing the need for careful implementation to uphold privacy rights.
