The Ontario Provincial Police plans to equip its 1,200 cruisers with dashboard digital cameras, CTV News has learned.
A pilot project designed to test the high-tech devices has been a success, and the Ontario government supports the plan for police car cameras, CTV Toronto's Paul Bliss reports.
The OPP will be asking the provincial government for help in funding the initiative, which is aimed at increasing the safety of officers and the public, and ensuring criminal convictions.
In 2004, the police force installed 42 cameras inside cruisers in Toronto, Ottawa and Kenora. The three-year pilot project proved the cameras keep officers safe, as aggressive motorists calmed down when they knew they were being recorded, police say.
"If they were all inclined to be aggressive or belligerent, once they knew they were being videotaped, their demeanour changed almost immediately to the positive," said Insp. Jim McDonnell.
The cameras will also save time in court as the footage is strong evidence against accused motorists, McDonnell said.
An internal OPP survey shows more than 90 per cent of officers want the cameras in the vehicles.
Ontario Community Safety Minister Rick Bartolucci told CTV News he is a strong supporter of the cruiser cameras and would seriously consider any request to fund the program.
When the OPP bought the cameras for its pilot project, they cost about $16,000 each. Today, the devices cost less than $9,000.
The force is looking for a supplier before they submit a formal request for funding. It could take years to have cameras installed in all 1,200 cruisers.
On Thursday, CTV News learned the OPP is stepping up its campaign on aggressive drivers and will begin using a plane to track dangerous motorists on highways beginning in mid-March.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Paul Bliss
