Chair: Matthew Berrigan
O Canada: Truro Rotary Zoom Choir
Moment of Reflection
Guest Speaker: Rob Hearn, Deputy Chief, Truro Police
Mike Dolter introduced our guest speaker. Rob Hearn has been Deputy Chief of the Truro Police for the past 9 months. Prior to that he was Inspector for 9 years. His responsibilities include administration, operation of department and community policing. He follows the model of Chief MacNeil. His topic today is the Truro Police Body Cams Pilot Project and its potential impact on the community.
Rob started his presentation by acknowledging that accountability and transparency are very important in police work and the community is demanding it. Of course there are some things that are not public, but recent publicity of police situations in the U.S. and here highlight the need for talking about it.
The Truro police will be piloting body worn cameras. About 6 or 7 years ago the department installed in-car cameras using equipment from WatchGuard, a U.S. based company now owned by Motorola. They have been happy with the equipment and decided to go with WatchGuard for the body cameras, as it will be a seamless partnership with the car and server equipment already in place. They will not be purchasing the facial recognition part of the system.
The in-car camera is always recording video, and audio is added if the record button is hit. The audio also comes on automatically when the flashers go on. It is possible to look back one or 2 days for historical information. The in-car camera is completely wireless and the video is downloaded onto a server. The body cam doesn’t have the same amount of storage capacity but still can go back many hours, and again, the video is downloaded onto the server. The camera records 180° high definition crystal clear video and audio, and can be adjusted to the height of the officer. The officer notifies people they are being recorded. Privacy is an issue and policy is being developed. The Kentville police have been using body cams for a few years and Truro officers are in touch with them about their experience.
The officers have had 2 cameras on trial for 3 or 4 weeks. Everyone is very receptive. It is hoped to increase the safety of the public as well as the officers. It is anticipated the system will be adopted. Detailed information is available on the WatchGuard Video website.
Questions/Answers:
- Do people behave better when they know they are being recorded? yes, and body cam recording gives much more comprehensive and accurate record of event than bystanders videos
- What is the oversight? the Police Act, the court, SIRT (Serious Incident Report Team), and the Truro Police Commission
- What is the cost/life expectancy of the units? The in-car cameras cost $7,000 CDN, the body cameras $1100 USD. They will probably purchase 10 cameras and another couple to have as spares. The server will need to be upgraded at a cost of $5,000. The car cameras have a 2 year warranty and the body cams a 1 year warranty. An extended warranty can be purchased. The in car DVR’s last about 4 or 5 years. So it is expected to cost $25,000 to $30,000 for 12 units.
- Is there any situation you are unable to record? They don’t record in a hospital (unless a criminal offence), in the court, or when meeting with confidential informants. If an officer turns the camera off s/he has to be able to legally justify why it is turned off.
Matthew Berrigan thanked Rob Hearn for his presentation and for everything police do for our community.
Member’s Health
Garth is back in town.
Committee Reports
Polio Swim: Laurie reported a successful swim which included Rotarians, Rotaractors and friends. It was a beautiful day. The water was 22°. Thanks to Captain Richard for taking swimmers across and following back with a lifeguard. Thanks to participants, donors and hosts. $700 already donated, and you can add your sponsorship with etransfer to Treasurer Al at
etrct0949@gmail.com
President’s Report: President Jane noted there is a board meeting next Tuesday. She is working on getting the minutes put in to Club Runner, more info to come.
Bollywood: Moving forward with a takeout food event with same chef, using the Glengarry kitchen. Tickets will be sold for pick up meals. Working hard to maintain the event in some form.
District Training: Alana reminded us of the TLC (District Training for Leaders) taking place on zoom September 12th, 9:30 – 11:30. There will be specific sessions for Presidents, Secretaries, and Treasurers, as well as Foundation. Dr Devine from Halifax will speak on Diversity and Inclusion. There will be a Polio update. Email invitation will be coming. Alana thinks probably Rotary’s next big project will be related to water.
Happy Mug:
Matthew B: attended a Portapique community BBQ, Happy to feel the positive energy.
Alana: Did her Toastmaster presentation, timed to the second. Liked how they do jazz hands on zoom instead of clapping hands. Also happy to stand up at Jim and Kyle’s wedding. It was a beautiful day.
Richard: congrats to Jim and Kyle. And to Alana that she kept to 11 minutes at Toastmasters.
Terry: finally able to get family dog returned from Ontario with help from friend and volunteer at the borders.
Rod: going with family to Briar Island for whale watching
Jane: family holiday booked to Cabot Trail in October
Christine: so excited to have signed a collaborative agreement with Colchester and Cumberland counties for a rural broadband project. It is a $62,000,000 project. 700 km of fibre optic will be laid. Will affect 24,400 homes. Towers are going up. A long term project, will take 3 to 3.5 years. Council adapted and changed its priorities to get this done. Such an important project, will open opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs, people working from home.
Meeting adjourned at 12:57 pm. 19 participants.