Surrey police launch body-worn camera project

Surrey Police Service is launching a six-month body-worn camera pilot project.

Beginning today, 20 SPS road safety section officers will be wearing and testing the Axon Body 4 body-worn cameras (BWCs) for the duration of the pilot project.

In 2021, SPS began researching and developing a BWC program. This process included completing a privacy impact assessment, ensuring alignment with provincial policing standards, conducting two community consultations, and developing guidelines for usage. In October 2024, the Surrey Police Board approved the purchase of 20 BWCs in preparation for the pilot.

“Through our previous community consultations, it was clear that there is very strong public support for the use of body-worn cameras in Surrey,” said Chief Constable Norm Lipinski. “The use of technology to enhance our policing service is a top priority for Surrey Police Service as we continue to develop our new, modern police service in collaboration with the community.”

BWCs are currently being used by several Canadian police agencies, including Delta, Vancouver, Toronto, Edmonton and Calgary. While these cameras can only provide one angle of an interaction and can’t capture activity happening outside of the frame, body-worn cameras have been found to offer many benefits to both the public and police.

These benefits, according to the SPS, include:

• Enhancing transparency and trust by providing the public with accountability during interactions with police officers. 
• Improving evidence collection and documentation, supporting more successful prosecutions. 
• Resolving public complaints in a timely manner.
• De-escalating the behaviour of individuals who are aware that recording is in progress.
• Providing more insight into police and public encounters, which will inform improvements to police training. 

“SPS understands that the use of BWCs can have significant privacy implications,” the SPS said in a statement. “Officers must always balance the law enforcement objective against possible privacy concerns. BWCs will not be used for continuous or indiscriminate recording. When recording, the public will see a flashing red light on the BWC.”

SPS officers deployed with BWCs will record the entirety of all investigative and enforcement activities, the SPS said, including at calls for service, and when capturing evidence, executing search warrants, and interacting with the public during the lawful execution of police duties.