Body-worn cameras for parking enforcement officers (PEO)

Frequently asked questions

About the body-worn cameras

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  What is a body-worn camera? 

  Body-worn cameras are relatively small devices worn on the front of a PEO's uniform. They record interactions with the public when a PEO feels their safety is at risk.

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  When will the cameras be turned on? 

  A PEO will turn on their camera when they:

  • Feel unsafe
  • Experience assault
  • Receive threats
  • Encounter bullying
  • Are subjected to harassment

  Assault is defined as the intentional application of force to another person, either directly or indirectly, without their consent.

  Examples include:

  • Punching
  • Pushing
  • Slapping
  • Kicking
  • Spitting
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  How does the camera work and can a PEO turn it off?

  To activate it, the officer will push the circle button on the front twice. You will hear a beep and see a red circle and you will know the camera is recording.

  To turn off the camera, the officer must press and hold the circle button for a few seconds. A loud beep will be heard, and the camera will be turned off, returning to buffering mode.

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  What are the operating modes of a body-worn camera?

  Buffering mode

  The camera is on but not actively recording. It continuously captures a 30-second loop of video and audio, which is saved only if the camera is activated.

  Recording mode

  The camera is actively recording audio and video, creating audio and visual evidence that can be retrieved and archived.

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  What kind of camera is the City using?  

  We are using Axon body cameras (model Axon Body 4).

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  Do the cameras have facial recognition functionality?

  No, there is no facial recognition built into the cameras. 

  Footage may be used to identify individuals if a criminal act is captured.

When and why recordings happen

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  Are you going to record everyone you come into contact with?

  No. Parking enforcement officers will only record an interaction if they feel their safety is at risk.  

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  Will a PEO tell a person if they are being filmed?

  Yes, unless there is a safety risk in doing so.  

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  What constitutes a physical assault? 

  An assault can occur if a person intentionally applies force, either directly or indirectly, to another person without their consent.

  Examples of this kind of assault include:

  • Punching
  • Pushing
  • Slapping
  • Kicking
  • Spitting  
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  When does the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) get involved?

  The VPD is involved only when a safety incident is considered criminal in nature.

  Footage is provided to the VPD if requested during their investigation. At that point, the footage becomes part of an evidence package managed by the VPD.

Privacy and access

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  What about my personal information? 

  The City of Vancouver collects body camera footage in situations where safety concerns arise, for the purpose of protecting the health and safety of both employees and the public. This personal information is collected under the authority of section 26(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA).  
    
  If you have questions about the collection or use of your personal information, email the Access to Information and Privacy Director at [email protected] or phone 3-1-1.

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  What happens to the recordings?

  All recordings will by default be deleted within 5 days.

  Some recordings are kept according to our record management policies. This includes recordings that:

  • Relate to a Parking Enforcement Incident Report
  • Involve a Vancouver Police Department (VPD) file number
  • Capture behaviour considered criminal
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  How are the camera recordings stored?

  Recordings are stored in a secure database located in Canada.

  Access is restricted to Parking Enforcement leadership.

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  Who has access to the recordings?

  Access is highly restricted and limited to authorized personnel within the parking enforcement branch.

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  How does a person who has been recorded see the video of their interaction?

  Submit a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to access body-worn camera footage.