In an effort to increase public trust, the St. Thomas Police Service will soon undertake a body camera pilot project. The decision was approved yesterday (Wednesday) by the Police Services Board, whose chairman Dave Warden noted the body cameras will ensure the city has a police service accountable to those they serve. While there are many details to work out, Police Chief Chris Herridge said the pilot project could potentially involve as many as 10 officers with body cameras over a month-long period.
Herridge says the body cameras are a way to enhance police accountability while at the same time increase public trust.
Herridge added they are partnering with Axon Public Safety Canada for the pilot project. The same firm that supplies the service with Tasers. Const. Scott Berge, police association president, says officers support the body cameras as a way of providing transparency while protecting both the public and the police.
