This is the third instalment in a series on the campaign to have officers use body-worn cameras in Nunavut.  

The body camera pilot project in Iqaluit, which cost $93,619.10, was deemed a success overall, especially in terms of improving police-civilian relations.

SA国际影视传媒淚 myself believe that you will find that there has been a reduction of both incidents and fatalities in Nunavut since the pilot was rolled out and that this program has affected both the conduct of police officers and citizens interacting with police, knowing that they are on camera and their behaviour is under scrutiny,SA国际影视传媒� says former Nunavut senator Dennis Patterson.

SA国际影视传媒淭his is a good news story, in my opinion. Faced with a very distressing situation, which seemed almost an epidemic of tragic deaths in confrontations with in Nunavut SA国际影视传媒� some situations have been, perhaps simplistically, described as suicidal persons choosing 'death by cops,' Patterson continued. "Community leaders from all over Nunavut SA国际影视传媒� from Cambridge Bay to Grise Fiord to Iqaluit; Inuit and non Inuit; territorial government; senior folks in and Iqaluit; NTI [Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated] and the legislative assembly SA国际影视传媒� came together in common cause to work on progressive solutions to what seemed at the time to be a worrisome trend... It seemed almost from the very beginning that we were all united in common cause.SA国际影视传媒�

A further field test was then authorized and the company Axon Public Safety Canada Inc. was given the contract from Feb. 5 to March 31, 2024, for SA国际影视传媒渢he final stage of the procurement process. This field test met all contractual requirements and was deemed successful,SA国际影视传媒� according to the .

The field test locations were Iqaluit, where 33 body-worn cameras (BWCs) were deployed and are still in use, as well as detachments in Alberta and Nova Scotia.

The national roll out of BWCSA国际影视传媒檚 for all divisions is in the works and will be commencing late fall to early 2025," stated Nunavut Chief Supt. Andrew Blackadar. "For V Division, there have been six detachments (Arviat, Baker Lake, Cambridge Bay, Rankin Inlet, Kugluktuk and Pond Inlet) identified for stage one that will receive the BWCSA国际影视传媒檚, equipment and the members trained in using the cameras to start using in the field.SA国际影视传媒�

That expansion is going to take place before the end of the the 2024-25 fiscal year, Blackadar added. Eighteen other Nunavut detachments will be upgraded with low-Earth-orbit satellite and network equipment in 2025-26 to pave the way for body-camera use in those communities. 

SA国际影视传媒淪o far,SA国际影视传媒� Blackadar said, SA国际影视传媒渃ommunities have been very receptive to it because thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a level of accountability on both sides. When the public knows theySA国际影视传媒檙e being recorded, the response to the is different, and itSA国际影视传媒檚 very much a de-escalation tactic for our police officers when they attend scenes, but also an accountability piece for our attending members as well... I can tell you that fatalities are way down... there have also been no standoffs in Iqaluit since 2018. I would attribute that to a number of shifting dynamics in Iqaluit... [The body cameras] helped from an evidentiary perspective with acts in progress or helping the police recall an event, so I think from that perspective theySA国际影视传媒檝e helped with court proceedings.SA国际影视传媒�

'Rebuilding trust'

Iqaluit-Manirajak MLA Adam Arreak Lightstone sees positive aspects as well. 

SA国际影视传媒淭hroughout NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 history, thereSA国际影视传媒檚 been numerous reports of use of excessive force, including death, between [officers] and NunavummiutSA国际影视传媒� itSA国际影视传媒檚 clear that the body-worn cameras will have a great benefit for NunavutSA国际影视传媒� the benefits are well documented," he said. "To me, those include rebuilding trust between the police and the public, expediting the investigations into critical incidents and the enhancing the quality of evidence used to support our judicial systemSA国际影视传媒� itSA国际影视传媒檚 my opinion that everyone is in support of utilizing body cameras worn in NunavutSA国际影视传媒� the legislative assembly, the , the Government of Nunavut, justice ministers and the general public.SA国际影视传媒�

Blackadar is hopeful that there will soon be concrete statistics available to measure the qualitative and quantitative impact that the body camera have had on crime.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 too early to tell, as Iqaluit was the original spot for the pilot project,SA国际影视传媒� Nunavut 's commanding officer said. SA国际影视传媒淭he Iqaluit community members have been used to general duty members wearing BWCSA国际影视传媒檚 since 2020. I believe when the national rollout is completed, the will be able to determine any measurable effect on crime.SA国际影视传媒�