OPS To Wear Body Cameras

09/24/2025

This is a release from the Ottawa Police Service:

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The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) will begin deploying body-worn cameras (BWCs) in November 2025, as part of its ongoing commitment to accountability, transparency, and strengthening public trust.

Thirty Axon body-worn cameras will be issued to members of the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) and select Change Agents. Officers will wear the cameras during their regular duties, including responding to calls involving individuals in crisis. This initial rollout supports the Alternative Mental Health Support Initiative and directly responds to jury recommendations from the coroner’s inquest into the death of Abdirahman Abdi, which are being implemented by the OPS’s Mental Health C.H.A.N.G.E. Initiative team.

Body-worn cameras offer several operational and community benefits:
Transparency: Provide an unbiased visual and audio record of police interactions.
Accountability: Allow for review of officer conduct and reinforce professional standards.
Evidence Collection: Offer reliable video and audio evidence for investigations and court proceedings.
Training: Assist with officer development and best practice evaluation.
De-escalation: Presence of BWCs can help reduce tension during interactions.
Public & Officer Protection: Help resolve complaints and protect against false allegations.
Objective Reporting: Provide a factual record of events to support clear incident documentation.
AI-Enhanced Tools: Integration with OPS’s Digital Evidence Information Management System (DEIMS) allows for automated transcription, translation (up to 50 languages), and court-ready redaction.
Real-Time Streaming: Enables live video feed to the OPS Real Time Operations Centre (RTOC) during critical incidents.
All officers assigned a body-worn camera will receive mandatory training on proper use, privacy considerations, and operational procedures.

Background
In 2023, OPS began laying the groundwork for a phased implementation of the BWC program, supported by the rollout of the Axon DEIMS platform. This system has been in use at OPS since 2024, supporting digital evidence management, in-car camera systems, and Automated Licence Plate Readers.

While an initial pilot was originally planned for 2024, budget constraints led to a postponement. The first phase of deployment is now scheduled to begin in late 2025, with a larger rollout anticipated between 2026 and 2027, pending future budget approvals.

The deployment of body-worn cameras is one of several initiatives aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and community confidence in policing across Ottawa.

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