Police video delay defended

Apast article stated York Regional Police cruiser dash cameras are on at all times, but only retain from the past 30 seconds onward once activated. Does this mean that an altercation from one minute ago, for example, is lost? How is this any better than before such cameras existed? Shouldn’t they just record at all times?

York Regional Police Const. Andy Pattenden replies:

It’s our policy that the camera gets turned on whenever an officer is on a traffic stop or investigation, responding to a call for service, or automatically when the cruiser emergency lights are activated.

Officers can leave their vehicles and interact with people without turning on the camera, though.

For instance, to greet a young child that waved hello, or when refuelling. Such stops normally wouldn’t be recorded.

If the situation changed, however, officers can remotely turn on the camera equipment while outside their vehicle, thereby recording everything from the past 30 seconds onward.

Eric Lai adds:

Unceasingly recording every onduty moment of every sworn York Regional Police officer would generate more than a half-million hours of event-less video annually. Storing all that useless data would be costly and serve no real purpose.

Toronto Police’s new body cameras, which are now being tested, also retain the previous 30 seconds once activated.

How do I request copies of police video and any officer notes of my alleged traffic infraction?

Eric Lai replies:

When requesting a trial, also request disclosure at the court office. Any materials not provided cannot be used against you at trial. York Regional Police state there’s no charge to an accused for a copy of dash-cam video.