It’s been a controversial topic, but the Moose Jaw Police Service is looking into the practicality of outfitting officers with body-worn video cameras.

Chief Rick Bourassa said, simply put, the cameras would be good public policy.

“The use of the cameras for the most part increase transparency, increase accountability, which then leads to an increased trust in policing, which I think we can all agree is a pretty valued public goal,” Bourassa said.

He added that the police service is no stranger to video recordings. They have equipment in the detention centre as well as vehicles.

Practically, Bourassa said there are a few hurdles with financial and human resource implications.

Along with purchasing the equipment, there would be training officers and the storage, retention and retrieval of the information. Bourassa said the storage, retention and retrieval are very important because it would have to be disclosed in court and freedom and information protection and privacy issues.

There would also be a cost of the maintenance of the software and hardware.

The police would also have to make sure the recordings are done properly and legally. Bourassa said there would have to be consultations with the local police commissioners board, the Saskatchewan Police Commission, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner as well as several other governing bodies.

Bourassa added that Deputy Chief is looking into it, but they aren’t going to rush the process while realizing that this is the direction they are going in.

Police Commissioner Mayor Fraser Tolmie said he hopes body cameras will become regular policy.

“But because all that stuff is stored away it won’t be coming up saying ‘hey, we are extra transparent because of this.’ It’s one of those things that’s going to be said that’s unsaid and it will be a normal operating procedure for the Moose Jaw Police Service going that direction, which I’m in favour of,” Tolmie said.

Recently Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has expressed the need for RCMP officers to wear body cameras.