A diverse group of 23 organizations and 35 individuals is pushing Montreal’s Ensemble Montréal leadership to kickstart the implementation of body-worn cameras for police officers this year, without waiting for potential government subsidies.
Led by former Montreal city councillor Marvin Rotrand, the coalition is adamant that any further delays are unacceptable, despite the city’s current plan to gradually introduce the cameras over the next few years.
Rotrand expressed urgency, stating, “We’re not willing to wait until 2034, or for a hypothetical future subsidy from Quebec. We need to move forward now.”
Advocates argue that body-worn cameras are crucial for enhancing accountability in police interactions, particularly in cases of racial profiling and excessive use of force.
Alain Babineau, director of Racial Profiling & Public Safety at Red Coalition and a former RCMP officer, emphasized the importance of recorded interactions in providing victims with a level playing field.
Fo Niemi, executive director of the Center for Research-Action on Race Relations (CRAAR), highlighted the need for an information system accompanying these cameras, emphasizing the significance of citizen involvement in designing such systems.
Niemi also pointed out that these cameras could serve to protect both civilians and police officers by documenting interactions and ensuring accountability.
Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada allocated $40 million in the city’s budget for the acquisition and deployment of body cameras for SPVM officers, with a timeframe set between 2026 and 2034. However, the lack of a clear timeline for implementation remains a concern, with provincial collaboration deemed necessary.
While Quebec authorities have conducted studies on body-worn cameras in a legal context, no definitive timeline has been established for their deployment.
In addition to advocating for body cameras, Rotrand’s coalition is pushing for public discussions on privacy safeguards and Charter rights pertaining to police technologies like license plate readers, facial recognition, and artificial intelligence.
Keyphrase: Montreal body cameras
