This new project, which has several facets, will film police interventions in Montreal, with no possibility for officers to start or stop the recording. The project is accompanied by measures to protect police officers against insults as well as the installation of automated license plate readers on police vehicles.
The Mayor of Montreal stated in a press briefing that cameras can protect citizens just as much as police officers. For his part, SPVM Director Fady Dagher states that: “The camera will allow us to have mutual respect on both sides.”
For now, there is very little information regarding the terms of the contract that will be awarded by the SPVM.
Note that the SPVM has a multi-million-dollar contract with the firm iMotion ROC Watch, an AI detection and investigation software. The combination of this software with police body cameras and mobile license plate readers could create serious privacy issues.
To be continued..