Focusing in on police use of body-worn cameras

Dr. Alana Saulnier is an assistant professor at Queen’s University. Her research focuses on relationships between legal authorities and the public with a particular focus on how the use of surveillance technologies (e.g., body-worn cameras, unpiloted aerial vehicles, etc.) augments those relationships. She has held formal research partnerships with more than 20 police services in Ontario. 

Conducting research on relationships between police and the communities they serve [5:00]The use of body-worn cameras by police services in Canada compared to other jurisdictions [7:42]The benefits of body-worn cameras from a police perspective [9:26]What communities may perceive as some of the benefits of body-worn camera programs [11:22]Insights from research studies with the Durham Regional Police Service and the Guelph Police Service [13:04]Research on the use of body-worn cameras in the investigation of domestic and sexual violence cases [20:02]Body-worn cameras at public protests [23:09]The importance of consulting with communities before putting body-worn camera programs in place [24:53]Shaping governance and rules about how body-worn cameras should be used [25:52]Questions communities should consider before body-worn cameras are deployed [28:08]The IPC’s model body-worn camera model governance framework and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police body-worn camera policy framework [30:15]

Resources:

Model Governance Framework for Police Body-worn Camera Programs in Ontario (IPC Guidance)Canadian Policing and Body-worn Cameras: A Proposed Body-worn Camera Policy Framework (Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police)Law Enforcement and Surveillance Technologies (IPC Privacy Day 2021 webcast)Next-Generation Law Enforcement: IPC Strategic Priorities 2021-2025 (IPC strategic plan)The RIDE study: Effects of body-worn cameras on public perceptions of police interactions (study by Dr. Alana Saulnier)Police Use of Body-Worn Cameras: Challenges of Visibility, Procedural Justice, and Legitimacy (research article authored by Dr. Saulnier and researchers from the University of Winnipeg and the University of Chicago)Building privacy and transparency into sexual assault investigations (Info Matters episode)

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