And while the trucks begin work immediately, so does the job of policing the cops who use them. That's right, these trucks won't just be deployed without any monitoring. There's 21st. century technology – namely a dashboard camera - to provide an added level of accountability. It will record the officers actions in and around the pickup truck. Commissioner Whylie says this will be useful in assessing claims of police brutality:
Reporter
"When it comes to the dashboard cameras, tell us what the public can expect now that this has been put in place? Is it that they will be on for every single trip?"
Allen Whylie, Commissioner of Police
"Well the camera should always be on, as long as the vehicle is operational, the camera should be on and as I've said we've developed a number of protocols. It's not the first time that we are having cameras in vehicles. I believe a previous fleet of Ford Rangers that we have received through the CARSI programs also had cameras and so these cameras I believe is a little better quality cameras, but the protocols have been developed and strengthen to ensure that there is accountability and that they stay on and as I said in my earlier remarks, as a result of these cameras the interaction between the police and the members of the community that they would be more professional."
Reporter
"Will there be a policy in place to share whatever footage gathered from these cameras with the media for instance, in cases where civilians may be querying or asking about police brutality and that sort of stuff?"
Allen Whylie, Commissioner of Police
"Well it's something that we would have to look at. I wouldn't say that it will have an opened policy. I believe each case would have to be reviewed on its own, in terms of what would be the benefit of putting out there. Is it a matter that may be before a court of law and maybe prejudicial in terms of releasing and so we would have to look at it I believe on a case by case benefit."
Another feature added unto each truck is a tracking device which allows a dedicated unit at headquarters to monitor the movements of the trucks to ensure that they stay within their assigned zones on police business.
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