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I am writing to address the recent response from interim acting Police Chief Natalie Hiltz regarding the Greater Sudbury Police Services' (GSPS) failure to implement body-worn cameras (BWCs) despite a commitment made over two years ago.
The article titled "Still no updated timeline for GSPS of body-worn cameras" highlights a worrying trend of evasiveness and lack of accountability within our police force.
Chief Hiltz's response is profoundly disappointing. She declined to share an updated timeline, vaguely stating that they are "working on it" without providing any tangible evidence. Her remark, "delay should not be confused with inaction," is hollow and unconvincing. Without transparency, how can the community differentiate between a delay and outright inaction?
Even more troubling is Chief Hiltz's attempt to deflect responsibility by pointing to delays in other communities. This is an unacceptable justification for GSPS's failure to act. Other cities, such as Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver, have already successfully implemented BWCs. Toronto began deploying BWCs to all frontline officers in August, 2020, completing the process by October, 2021 (TPS) (Global News). Calgary was the first major Canadian city to adopt BWCs in 2019 (Global News).
If these cities can overcome the same challenges, why can't Sudbury?
Chief Hiltz mentioned that the delay centres around policies, training and technical matters. How difficult is it to train officers to ensure their cameras are on during public interactions? The suggestion that this requires over two years of preparation is absurd.
The technical aspects of storing and managing video data are well within the capabilities of current technology. For instance, platforms like YouTube enable millions of people to livestream and store videos in the cloud seamlessly, 24/7, from anywhere they have an active internet connection, as well as the ability to upload videos that were made offline.
It is inconceivable that GSPS cannot implement a similar, albeit simpler, system for their approximately 270 officers.
Former Police Chief Paul Pedersen had doubts about BWCs, as previous reporting in June 2020 shows, which raises serious concerns about the faith GSPS has in its operations. Pedersen stated at the time, “The question is, is that appropriate at this time for our organization and something we can bring to light? Digital manipulation of data is the big cost, not the actual cameras.”
This statement suggests a lack of confidence in GSPS' ability to manage BWC data securely and transparently, or there could be an overall unwillingness to adapt to new technologies that can hold officers accountable. This attitude can foster a culture of resistance to change and innovation, essential for modern policing.
Furthermore, Chief Hiltz's claim that BWCs "increase arrests" is perplexing. Numerous studies indicate that BWCs lead to a decrease in the use of force and complaints against officers, fostering greater trust between the police and the community. For example, a report by the Rialto Police Department in California found a significant reduction in both use-of-force incidents and complaints after implementing BWCs.
It appears there might be a misalignment in priorities. If ensuring transparency and building community trust are not seen as immediate priorities, it raises questions about what is being prioritized instead, such as speed cameras.
The article also addresses my previous letter, noting that the automated speed cameras were a city council initiative. However, it is misleading to imply that city council has not approved the use of BWCs to some extent. Some level of formal approval or support was indeed obtained. The approval for funding came from The Greater Sudbury Police Services Board, and consists of two provincial appointees, two municipal council appointees, and one member of the community appointed by the council. The current mayor is part of the current board. The failure lies with GSPS' inability to follow through on this mandate.
The lack of progress and transparency from GSPS is unacceptable. Our community deserves a police force that prioritizes accountability and transparency. I urge Chief Hiltz and GSPS to provide a clear and detailed timeline for the implementation of BWCs and to ensure regular updates at police board meetings with specific dates and milestones.
J. Perreault
Greater Sudbury