Body worn cameras in policing: The value and costs of implementation in Canada

The use of body worn cameras in policing has received increased interest following a number of high profile incidents in the USA since 2014. Body worn cameras have been touted as a tool to increase transparency and hold police more accountable during interactions with vulnerable sectors of the population. Political pressure and public opinion have encouraged police agencies in Canada to explore the use of these devices, despite the fact that they operate in a political and social climate that differs from that of the United States. An analysis of the effects of body worn cameras on police and public interactions, the capabilities of current body worn camera devices, concerns related to video surveillance by the police and the subsequent effect on privacy rights of individuals, and financial costs show many challenges and questionable benefit from the widespread use of body worn cameras by police particularly in the Canadian context.