Delta police targeting gangs and gang affiliates are now the first front-line officers in B.C. regularly using body-worn cameras.
On Friday afternoon (May 21), the Delta Police Department announced that members of its have begun to use Axon body-worn cameras as a tool to help increase officer safety.
鈥淭he team using the cameras has a mandate to intercept potential gang activity, and interact with those involved in the gang conflict,鈥� DPD Chief Neil Dubord said in a press release. 鈥淲e want to do everything we can to reduce the risk of violent behaviour by gang members.鈥�
鈥淲e must keep our officers safe in order to keep the public safe.鈥�
The department has been conducting a limited-use pilot project involving the body-worn cameras since January of this year, primarily using them during officer training. That pilot was scheduled to conclude at the end of this month.
On Wednesday (May 12), the Delta police board extended the pilot through to September 2021 and approved the additional use for the cameras due to the increased violence seen during the ongoing gang conflict.
鈥淚n Richmond we saw alleged gang members actually shoot at police officers following a ,鈥� Delta Mayor and police board chair George Harvie said in a press release. 鈥淲e wanted to make sure we were doing everything we could as a board to help safeguard both our police officers and the community. This conflict calls for swift action, so we decided to expand the pilot project.鈥�
According to the device鈥檚 manufacturer, Axon, the board鈥檚 decision marks the first time that a front-line patrol police team in B.C. will be using body-worn cameras on a regular basis.
In the wake of a number of shootings across Metro Vancouver in recent weeks, including the of a corrections officer in North Delta on May 1, the Delta Police Department has taking a number of steps to try and prevent further violence in the community, using a three-pronged strategy focused on interdiction, investigation and prevention.
RELATED: (May 17, 2021)
On Saturday, May 15, Delta police launched its new team focused on intercepting any potential gang or related activity and acting as a deterrent through a high-profile presence in public spaces, such as along Scott Road and at popular restaurants.
The team also regularly checks on individuals who must abide by curfews and release conditions.
DPD officers have stepped up visits to locations where gang members are known to frequent and report making some 鈥渋nformative stops鈥� over that first weekend.
In the week since, Delta police have come into contact with a number of known gang members and affiliates, and have seized a sword, drugs and cash related to drug trafficking. Those investigations are ongoing.
鈥淓arly feedback from the public and the restaurant staff and patrons indicate that this high-visibility approach is needed and welcomed,鈥� Dubord said.
The interdiction teams were out last night using the Delta Police Department Van for high visibility. They were doing vehicle stops looking for dial-a dopers and checking locations in the City of Delta for any type of gang activity.
鈥� Neil Dubord (@ChiefNeilDubord)
According to Friday鈥檚 press release, studies have shown body-worn cameras reduce the use of force by 鈥� and against 鈥� police by affecting the behaviour of individuals who are aware of the recording in progress.
In addition to helping reduce the risk of violence towards officers, police hope the cameras 鈥� which they note will be used in accordance with policy and provincial standards and with oversight from the department鈥檚 management team 鈥� will accomplish four key objectives: increasing public trust and confidence, increasing officer accountability and transparency, improving evidence documentation, and resolving complaints about alleged officer misconduct.
The eight cameras, which together cost the department about $8,600, were purchased under the DPD鈥檚 existing police equipment budget.
Friday鈥檚 press release notes that officers using the cameras follow restrictive guidelines on their use, therefore there is not expected to be significant amounts of video and the department will be able to manage digital storage requirements without additional funding.
Looking forward, the release also states that Police Records Information Management Environment (PRIME-BC), the records management system used by all police in B.C., recently announced it is developing infrastructure to manage digital evidence, and is currently working on a program to manage such evidence and the infrastructure required.
SEE ALSO: (May 8, 2021)
SEE ALSO: (May 4, 2021)
editor@northdeltareporter.com
Like us on and follow us on
