NEWS RELEASE
THUNDER BAY POLICE SERVICE
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The Thunder Bay Police Service will begin deploying body-worn cameras starting Monday, April 12, 2021.
The TBPS wishes to inform those who live in Thunder Bay and the surrounding areas that their interactions with our front-line officers may be audio and video recorded. The deployment of these cameras is part of the TBPS’s Digital Evidence Management project. Learn more about that project here: https://thunderbaypolice.ca/DEM.
The body worn cameras will eventually be worn by all front-line primary response officers as well as officers assigned to the Traffic Unit. It is anticipated the full deployment will be completed by June, 2021. The deployment also includes in-car cameras to all front-line police vehicles.
The TBPS has embarked on a dynamic project with AXON to enhance public safety and to strengthen accountability to the people we serve and protect. More than just body worn and in-car camera systems, the AXON project will see the introduction of a digital evidence management system that is designed to create a more efficient and effective flow of evidence.
This report (https://www.thunderbaypolice.ca/sites/default/files/pdfs/tbps_bwc_report.pdf) details the results of the TBPS’s 2018 pilot project, which found the adoption of a digital evidence management system could:
• Enhance transparency, public trust and confidence
• Enhance officer accountability
• De-escalate volatile situations
• Collection and transfer of evidence for disclosure
• Protect officers from unfounded allegations of misconduct
