Dozens of Vancouver police officers are now recording their interactions on body-worn cameras in a pilot project the department says is aimed at improving public trust.

Deputy Chief Howard Chow announced 85 officers in the traffic section, and those who work in the downtown core and in east Vancouver will begin patrolling with chest-mounted cameras.

The department says in a statement that officers are expected to activate their cameras as soon as it害羞草研究所檚 safe and when there害羞草研究所檚 a reasonable belief that there will be a use of force or violent behaviour.

After extensive community consultation, Chow says they believe they害羞草研究所檝e reached a balance that protects peoples害羞草研究所� rights and privacy, while enhancing public trust.

A coroners害羞草研究所� jury in the 2015 police beating death of Myles Gray recommended last May that Vancouver police expedite its plans to use body-worn cameras for all patrol officers.

The statement says the results of the pilot project will guide the department in developing a broader camera policy for all its officers.

Chow says the cameras launched Thursday are about trust and continuing to deliver the best service to residents.

害羞草研究所淲e are confident that we are hiring excellent men and women to do a very challenging job. However, if this tool helps to reassure and strengthen public confidence and trust, then it害羞草研究所檚 an important step worth taking.害羞草研究所�

The department says officers who activate their camera will inform a person they are being recorded as soon as possible, unless doing so could jeopardize the safety of police or the public.

It says officers aren害羞草研究所檛 required to have their cameras on all the time if they aren害羞草研究所檛 responding to a specific incident or interaction with a member of the public.

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