Manitoba First Nations police launch body camera initiative

An MFNPS member with a body-worn camera seen during a promotion video. (Manitoba First Nations Police Service/YouTube)

The Manitoba First Nations Police Service (MFNPS) has launched the use of body-worn cameras at a detachment in northern Manitoba, marking the first MFNPS detachment to introduce the technology.

Body-worn cameras have been deployed at the Opaskwayak Cree Nation MFNPS detachment, located approximately 520 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, according to a news release dated Sept. 14.

“This technology will increase transparency, provide valuable evidence for investigations, and ensure both our officers and community members are protected,” said MFNPS Chief Jason Colon in a statement.

“Body-worn cameras are an important tool that will help us continue building strong, positive relationships with the communities we serve,” he said.

The First Nations police service said plans are in place to expand the initiative to all other detachments in the coming months. The police service added that training surrounding the technology has already been provided to officers.

Meanwhile, a statement from the Manitoba RCMP said that Mounties began the onboarding process for body-worn cameras in the province in November 2024.

“Right now, we only have a couple more detachments to do before we will have (body-worn cameras) throughout the province,” said the statement. Manitoba RCMP said all detachment front-line members will eventually be outfitted with the cameras.

A spokesperson for the Winnipeg Police Service said the police force does not have any body-worn cameras in place due to the necessary costs, which would also include expenses related to storage and cataloguing.

“Recognizing the high cost, I think the return for it is well worth every penny spent, given the transparency it brings,” said George Labossiere, WPS Superintendent of Operational Support, during a phone interview.

“The Winnipeg Police Service is very much looking forward to the opportunity to move down this road to bring that technology and bring all kinds of transparency to the public,” Labossiere said.