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Editor's note: It should be noted that while the letter writer connects GSPS to automated speed cameras, that is an initiative of the City of Greater Sudbury and funded by the city. It is not an initiative of GSPS.
In the fall of 2022, Greater Sudbury Police Services (GSPS) publicly committed to equipping its officers with body-worn cameras (BWCs). This initiative was part of a comprehensive deal with Axon Public Safety Canada Inc., which included the purchase or lease-to-own of the CEW Taser 7 fleet and a Digital Evidence Management System.
The agreement, amounting to an estimated $557,760 annually over six years for a total of approximately $3,346,562, was intended to draw funds from the Capital Financing Reserve Fund.
Yet, here we are, as of July 14, 2024, nearly three years after the agreement was made, and not a single GSPS officer is wearing a body-worn camera. The silence surrounding this issue is deafening and deeply troubling.
Instead of prioritizing this essential technology, GSPS made an agreement two years after the agreement for BWCs and chose to expedite the implementation of the speed trap cameras in 2023. The speed cameras faced significant community opposition but promised to generate revenue. This initiative was operational within a year.
This stark contrast reveals a disturbing prioritization: generating revenue trumps promoting accountability and protecting citizens' rights.
This delay in implementing BWCs is not just an administrative oversight; it is a blatant disregard for accountability and transparency in our police force. In 2022, Canadian police used deadly force at record rates.
Greater Sudbury has not been immune to these troubling trends, with multiple incidents where GSPS officers have allegedly used excessive force without consequence or thorough investigation. The need for BWCs to provide an objective account of police interactions and ensure accountability has never been more critical.
This is a clear indication that GSPS is more interested in financial gains than in fostering a transparent and accountable police force. The swift implementation of speed trap cameras, despite community opposition, compared to the complete inertia on BWCs, highlights a gross misalignment of priorities. It's an alarming message to the citizens of Sudbury: your safety and trust are secondary to the city's revenue interests.
Moreover, Sudbury is falling behind other Canadian cities like Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver, which have successfully implemented BWCs. Toronto began deploying BWCs to all frontline officers in August, 2020, with full implementation by October, 2021.
Calgary was the first major Canadian city to adopt BWCs in 2019. These cities have seen tangible benefits, including reduced incidents of misconduct and increased trust between police and the community.
Sudbury's failure to act is not just embarrassing; it is a dereliction of duty.
The lack of progress and the eerie silence on this issue suggest a deliberate attempt to avoid accountability. This is unacceptable. Our community deserves better. We must demand answers and immediate action from GSPS and our local government officials. It is time to prioritize the implementation of BWCs and fulfill the promises made to our community.
J. Perreault
Greater Sudbury