Municipal Enforcement officers in the City of Cold Lake will soon begin wearing body cameras as part of an effort to improve transparency, accountability and safety during interactions with the public.

The City recently purchased body-worn cameras from Axon, a company widely used by law enforcement agencies across North America. The cameras record both video and audio and are expected to be activated during a variety of enforcement activities, including arrests, detentions, use-of-force incidents, traffic stops and investigative interactions.

Mayor Bob Mattice said the new equipment is intended to benefit both officers and residents.

“We want to make the public aware that our officers will be equipped with body cameras,” Mattice said. “The goal is to increase transparency and safety for both our officers and the public.”

While officers are not required to notify individuals that recording has begun, they have been trained to do so whenever circumstances allow.

According to the City, body camera footage can provide an objective record of interactions, helping improve officer and public safety while strengthening evidence collection, documentation and court proceedings.

Recordings may also be disclosed as evidence through the judicial process in accordance with applicable laws and court procedures.

The rollout follows a growing trend among municipal enforcement agencies and police services across Canada that have adopted body-worn camera technology to enhance public confidence, support investigations and provide greater accountability during enforcement interactions.

Residents looking to learn more about the program, including when cameras are activated and how recordings are managed, can find additional information and frequently asked questions on the City of Cold Lake’s website at www.coldlake.com/municipalenforcement.