Body-Worn Cameras

Cold Lake Municipal Enforcement officers wear a small camera on their uniform to record audio and video during public interactions. Each recording includes the 30 seconds before activation.

Officers are expected to use these body-worn cameras when interacting with the public, especially during:

Arrests or detentions
Use-of-force situations
Traffic Stops
Investigative contacts
Legal demands
Laying charges

The recording unit has a visible recording light, which can be turned off for safety reasons – such as during nighttime incidents where the officer’s location needs to be discrete.

A privacy impact assessment was completed to evaluate privacy risks associated with body-worn cameras. Recordings are subject to Alberta’s Protection of Privacy Act. Footage may be disclosed to the courts in accordance with court procedure and process of law.

Purpose

Enhance transparency, public trust and confidence
Enhance officer accountability and professionalism, and provide real-life training examples
De-escalate situations and reduce use-of-force incidents by and against the officers
Protect officers from unfounded allegations of misconduct and increase the efficiency of the resolution of complaints against Municipal Enforcement Officers
Improve evidence collection, documentation, and prosecution, including early case resolution

Public Concerns

Concerns about misuse of body-worn cameras can be reported to the Manager of Municipal Enforcement, which are handled under the Municipal Government Act, Peace Officer Act and Peace Officer Regulations. The Act sets out the requirements of a valid complaint and outlines the process for filing a complaint.

FAQ

How much does it cost for the City to utilize Body Worn Cameras for its officers?

The use of body-worn cameras has a direct total program cost of $4,500 per year. Much of the processes for the video storage and retrieval are automated so additional staff time is minimal and no additional staff are required to run the program.

Can I ask an officer to stop recording?

Officers are required to have their body-worn camera activated during a law enforcement interaction with a member of the public; however, the officer will continually assess privacy considerations and prohibitions outlined in the City’s Body Worn Camera Procedure if recording should continue or stop.

How do I ensure that my personal information which may have been recorded on a body worn camera is kept confidential?

A privacy impact assessment was completed to assess and mitigate any risks posed to privacy using body-worn cameras. Any recording made by a Cold Lake body-worn cameras are subject to the Alberta Protection of Privacy Act.

The recordings are disclosed to the courts, and the Crown discloses to legal counsel when required, but private third-party information captured in any recording is redacted or edited for legal purposes.

Officers using body-worn cameras will balance privacy rights with law enforcement needs. Officers will not:

Disseminate body-worn camera images to any person or entity unless authorized by law.
Use a body-worn camera to record any activities that are not required for a valid law enforcement purpose.
Use a body-worn camera in a covert capacity to secretly record an interaction with anyone captured in any recording is redacted or edited for legal purposes.

How long are body-worn camera recordings stored?

Body-worn camera recordings will be automatically deleted after 60 days from the date of recording, if officers have not identified their association to a case file. If a recording becomes part of a case file, it will be retained according to the City of Cold Lake Records Retention Schedule and court requirements, depending on the type of case and the retention category.

Can I view or obtain a copy of a body-worn camera video recording of an incident I was involved in?

If you are the accused on a ticket or other court action, the video will be provided to you through the court disclosure process in accordance with provincial requirements, Crown Prosecutor direction or requirements of the Court.

If you feel you have a right to view the video recording, but you have not been charged and are not seeking legal disclosure regarding a ticket, you may request a video in accordance with the allowances of Privacy law. The City will prepare a fee estimate for you. Once we have received payment, we will provide you with a copy. Please note that third-party information will be removed or blurred from the video.

You may also view the video as part of a Professional Standards complaint against an officer. In the process of the compliant investigation, the Manager of Municipal Enforcement may view the video with you to gather additional investigative information.