Montreal police chief Fady Dagher announced on Friday, August 21, that officers in the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal will soon receive portable body‑worn cameras that cannot be turned off at the officer's discretion. The directive is part of a broader effort to ensure total transparency within the police organization, with the service also pledging to make the recorded footage publicly available.
The announcement, made at 11:45 a.m. local time, outlined that every officer will be equipped with the new cameras as the department prepares for a citywide rollout. Under the policy, officers will have no ability to deactivate the devices during their shifts, eliminating the possibility of selectively recording interactions.
Chief Dagher emphasized that the measure is intended to provide an unbroken record of police encounters, reinforcing public confidence in law‑enforcement practices. By committing to release the footage, the SPVM aims to allow community members, media outlets and oversight bodies to review police actions in real time or after incidents.
The rollout follows a period of planning within the SPVM, during which the department evaluated equipment options and established protocols for data storage, access and retention. While the specifics of the technology were not disclosed, the emphasis remains on ensuring that the cameras remain operational throughout each officer's duty period.
The policy aligns with similar initiatives in other North American police forces that have introduced body‑worn cameras to document interactions and reduce disputes over conduct. Montreal's approach, however, distinguishes itself by mandating that the devices stay active at all times, a stipulation that aims to preempt any claims of selective recording.
The SPVM has not provided a timeline for the full deployment, but indicated that the implementation will proceed in phases as training and logistical arrangements are completed. The department reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability as central pillars of the new body‑camera program.