Hamilton’s police board voted on a hefty investment that will make body-worn cameras (BWC) a reality for some patrol officers.
After over a decade of debate and deliberation, the board gave Hamilton police nearly $10 million for the project.
Hamilton Police Chief Frank Bergen said, “What we’re satisfying is that we can accomplish is trust and accountability.”
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Initially, the service wanted $15.5 million for 650 body worn cameras and new staff. but the project has a new price tag.
Thursday’s revised recommendation will cost a little under $10 million over the next five years. With that investment, police can purchase 500 body worn cameras and hire five digital evidence management clerks, a support technician and a new sergeant to serve as the program’s coordinator.
While some people say body worn cameras symbolize a leap toward transparency the high cost and the debate around the effectiveness of body cameras spark skepticism for others.
Community advocated Kojo Damptey said, “the cameras are not going to solve the issue it’s what are the repercussions for engaging in extreme use of force.”
Damptey presented an analysis of Hamilton police’s use of force data at city hall. His presentation suggests that police dispatch more officers to calls involving people of colour.
“The assumption is that if the person is Black or racialized they pose a greater threat,” Damptey said.
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According to Hamilton police’s own data, Black people are grossly overrepresented in the service’s use of force. Despite making up just 5 per cent of the city’s population they were the subjects in 17 per cent of those interactions.
Hamilton police officers could start wearing the cameras as soon as next year.