Saskatoon Police Chief Troy Cooper says the pilot project announced in March for body worn cameras has been a success so far.

During last week’s Board of Police Commissioners meeting, Chief Cooper said all forty body worn cameras have been in use for over a week.

Chief Cooper says, “They’re exceeding all of our expectations. Officers have found that they improve efficiency in evidence gathering and ways that we actually had never really expected or considered. For example, we’ve taken video witness statements from victims right at the scene which saves time and provides better evidence.”

Cooper says the cameras have provided better evidence for when a use of force such as a conducted energy weapon, commonly known as a taser is deployed. The Police Chief notes it’s easier to show an event rather than describe it in detail.

He expects the technology will mean reductions in court time, and will be an overall benefit to the justice system. If the two-year pilot project is successful, the force estimates 200 cameras will be needed.