Kelowna RCMP to begin using body-worn cameras

RCMP detachments in the Central Okanagan will be rolling out body-worn cameras to its officers by the end of the month.

In a statement, the Kelowna RCMP says it’s proud to be among the first detachments in the province to make use of the cameras.

The RCMP first announced the gradual introduction of body-worn cameras in November, with the Mission detachment being the first to deploy.

The BC RCMP roll out is set to be the largest in the province, with more than 3,000 cameras to be in use over the next year.

In 2020, the federal government asked police agencies to begin wearing body cameras after concerns were raised over police interactions with racialized and Indigenous communities.

The RCMP says the use of body-worn cameras will help build more trust in law enforcement and foster better interactions with the public.

The initial rollout of cameras represents approximately 10 per cent of what will be given to frontline officers in B.C.

The use of body-worn cameras is now the national standard for RCMP detachments across Canada.