RCMP Body-Worn Cameras: Progress and Challenges for Drivers
The RCMP has begun rolling out body-worn cameras in British Columbia, starting with detachments in Mission, Tofino, Ucluelet, Cranbrook, Kamloops, and Prince George. This initiative is part of a national program with the ostensible aim of improving public trust in policing. By the end of next year, thousands of officers are expected to wear these bodycams.
Body-worn cameras are a step toward transparency, providing video evidence of interactions between police and the public. This evidence can resolve disputes and hold officers accountable. However, the cameras are not anticipated to be used to capture the alleged offence for which the driver is stopped, such as speeding or phone use. They are only activated once an officer engages with a driver. This means that key aspects of many traffic disputes will remain unresolved by video evidence.
In traffic stops, the cameras will record the officer’s conduct and the driver’s behavior from the moment of activation. This footage could help address issues of credibility often central to disputes in traffic court. However, it also introduces challenges under Canadian law. The Charter of Rights requires full disclosure of evidence, and body camera footage must be shared with individuals who contest their tickets.
We have learned that the government plans to create a website where drivers can download their footage and choose whether to pay their tickets. Of course, government wants people to pay their tickets rather than dispute them, so we expect the intention here is to try and use the video and the website to discourage people from challenging their tickets and make it very easy to pay them.
Paying a ticket, however, has serious consequences beyond the fine. It can lead to driving prohibitions, increased insurance premiums, and additional penalties like Driver Risk Premium fees. Many drivers are unaware of these repercussions. The convenience of paying online after viewing body camera footage may pressure individuals to plead guilty without fully understanding the impact.
There are additional concerns about how the video will be used and disclosed. While police must upload footage to a secure server, questions remain about public access and whether some of this material might surface online despite potential restrictions. Furthermore, past practices suggest that the government may resist disclosing footage in specific cases, such as Immediate Roadside Prohibitions, leaving disputes unresolved where video evidence could provide clarity.
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Despite these challenges, the introduction of body-worn cameras is generally a positive development. They promise greater accountability and fairness, but drivers must remain cautious. When we obtain video, it is often to the benefit of our clients, although not necessarily for reasons that may be apparent to a lay person.
Challenging tickets in court, even with bodycam footage, requires a clear understanding of your rights and the legal process. Why Should You Hire a Traffic Ticket Lawyer?
If you receive a traffic ticket, do not plead guilty or pay until you speak with a lawyer. Legal advice can help you understand the consequences and assess your options. We’re the original BC Driving Lawyers and we defend driving cases everywhere in B.C. Contact us today to protect your rights.