windsor front-line police officers now equipped with body microphones, in-car cameras
jkotsis@postmedia.com
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a body-worn microphone is shown on a windsor police officer's chest on thursday, may 22, 2025.
dan janisse
/
windsor star
all windsor police front-line patrol units will now be equipped with in-car cameras and officers will wear body-worn microphones, which officials say promotes safety and accountability.
“i am pleased to see these devices expanded to patrol units across our service,” karel degraaf, deputy chief of operational support, said in a statement.
“in-car cameras and body-worn microphones benefit both officers and the community members with whom they interact,” degraaf said. “the expansion of this technology underscores our values of integrity, accountability, and professionalism.”
the move follows a pilot project that saw 26 officers equipped with the devices last june, with the initiative expanded in october to include front-line supervisors.
officials say the technology supports the safety of officers and community members, improves evidence collection, and adds an additional layer of transparency and accountability to police operations.
a body-worn microphone is shown on a windsor police officer’s chest on thursday, may 22, 2025.
dan janisse
/
windsor star
as of thursday, the in-car cameras and body-worn microphones, which are designed for use in the general proximity of police vehicles, began recording automatically during vehicle stops and emergency calls for service, according to police.
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the equipment can also be activated manually.
red lights will flash on the devices while they are recording but “in certain circumstances where officer or public safety is a concern,” officers can deactivate the flashing lights while still recording.
officers will inform members of the public when they are being recorded “at the earliest opportunity” during any interaction, the department said.
in-car cameras are mounted inside police vehicles just below the rearview mirror and capture video footage outside the vehicle and audio footage inside the vehicle, according to police.
a body-worn microphone is attached to the officer’s uniform and will capture spoken interactions and surrounding audio. officers will not carry cameras on their uniforms to record video.
the collection, retention, use and disclosure of personal information obtained from the devices will comply with the municipal freedom of information and protection of privacy act, according to police officials.
the windsor police service website states that members of the public can notify an officer if they don’t want to be recorded, however “recording will likely continue if the interaction occurs in a public space.”
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in addition, in some situations officers may need to record in a private setting, such as when a “crime is actively occurring.”
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