The RCIPS aims to have most frontline police officers, including those in the traffic unit and community patrols, equipped with body-worn cameras by the end of this year. At present, only officers in the Firearms Response Unit are using these cameras full-time. Police Commissioner Kurt Walton has announced that the RCIPS plans to invest in additional technology, emphasizing that these cameras will enhance police operations and provide reassurance to the public during interactions with officers. Superintendent Roje Williams leads the RCIPS technology team, which is focused on advancing the use of technology within the force.
During a recent press conference, he announced that the RCIPS has been testing various types of body cameras with different units, with plans to implement their use across the service by the end of 2025. Williams emphasized that concerns regarding citizens' rights and the proper use of the equipment will be thoroughly addressed to ensure legal compliance.
The commissioner stated that prior to the body camera rollout, the RCIPS will hold another press conference to provide detailed information on their usage. He noted that embracing technology is the "direction we are going in" to enhance the efficiency of the RCIPS, with several projects currently in development. One area where this modernization will be particularly significant is traffic management.
The increasing traffic problems are consuming significant time and resources from the service. Williams emphasized that the first step is to acquire hand-held breathalyzers and other equipment to help alleviate some of the traffic department's workload. He noted that the police have made substantial investments in Black Widow Jack stands, which allow officers to quickly remove vehicles from the road after a collision, thereby expediting the processing of crash scenes.
According to Williams, the average police response time for a motor vehicle accident ranges from one hour to one hour and fifteen minutes. Much of this delay is due to officers dealing with damaged vehicles that cannot be moved off the roadway. The Black Widow Jack will enable officers to temporarily relocate these vehicles to the side of the road, helping to clear traffic and save police time, as even a single vehicle can lead to significant gridlock.
Another key technology initiative is the implementation of handheld e-ticket machines. Currently, officers manually write out approximately 7,000 tickets each year before entering that data into the system. According to Williams, the ability to electronically record tickets will save officers significant time.
“We’ve observed that other countries in the region are making substantial investments in e-ticketing. With this system, a ticket can be issued at the roadside, and you can pay it within five minutes,” he explained. He also pointed out that other law enforcement agencies that issue fines would benefit from transitioning to an e-ticketing system.
Walton has emphasized that investing in technology to modernize services will enhance efficiency and reduce the time spent on manual tasks. This approach will enable the RCIPS to meet increasing service demands without a significant rise in personnel and help address some of the resource challenges faced by the department.
