In the wake of the murder of George Floyd, it is once again obvious that more can and must be done to ensure justice is served when police forces violate the sacred trust that is placed in them by the people they are tasked with protecting. Justice for some is not justice.

Body worn cameras (BWCs) have proven to be an important tool in providing the evidence needed to hold front-line officers accountable for their actions while on duty. The technology is available, and it is now time for police agencies to step up.

Like their American counterparts, Canadian police forces continue to commit disproportionate levels of violence against Black, Indigenous, and other minority groups. Part of how we, as a country, can prevent further atrocities is by demanding  an objective view into the actions of the people who we have tasked to protect us. The use of BWCs in all encounters between the public and Canadian police is a part of getting that view.

Unlike America, however, Canadian police forces have been slow to adopt BWCs, with fewer reasons than ever not to do it. There is no more room for excuses, and that Canadian police must take meaningful action to eliminate the institutional racism that tarnishes our country.

Edmonton Police Service (EPS) Chief Dale McFee has publicly recognized the need for further action and accountability. He has promised to stand with the Black community, and to improve the EPS's relationship with the Indigenous community. We believe that he must follow through on his promise and fulfill the oath that he made when he accepted his position.

Body cameras are already in full use by the Calgary Police Service. We believe the EPS is obligated to follow in those footsteps and share the responsibility for modernizing policing in Alberta.

We demand that:

1. The Edmonton Police Service make body worn cameras mandatory for all front-line officers, and ensure that all interactions with the public are recorded
2. The Edmonton Police Service make recordings from body-worn cameras available and accessible to the people involved in them
3. The Edmonton Police Commission oversee and monitor the implementation of body worn cameras by the Edmonton Police Service to ensure these goals are being met
4. The Edmonton Police Commission collect and provide to the public, on an ongoing basis, data necessary to ensure that body worn cameras serve the best interests of both the public and the Edmonton Police Service

Sign the petitions for:

Toronto here and here

Winnipeg here

Halifax here

Ontario and Kingston here

Montreal here