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Part of Police oversight

Body-worn cameras

Alberta Sheriffs are required to use body-worn cameras while on duty and working in the public.

Overview

Transparency and accountability are foundational for fostering trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. In March 2023, Alberta’s government announced a mandate requiring all municipal and First Nations police services in the province, as well as the Alberta Sheriffs, to adopt body-worn cameras for their officers.

Body-worn cameras are essential for:

  • documenting interactions
  • collecting better evidence
  • reducing timelines for resolving:
    • public complaints
    • investigations
    • legal proceedings

The cost of the provincial body-worn camera program for the Alberta Sheriffs – once it is fully operational in 2026 – is estimated at $5 million annually.

Pilot program

In fall 2025, officers throughout the Alberta Sheriffs – including Court Security Services, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement, and the Sheriff Highway Patrol – are participating in a pilot program to field-test:

  • body-worn cameras
  • new in-car digital video systems
  • a province-wide digital evidence management system

Before body-worn cameras are deployed across the Alberta Sheriffs in January 2026, the pilot program will help to:

  • develop and refine the policy framework governing how the cameras are used
  • troubleshoot any technical issues
  • guide any adjustments

Use in public

Starting in January 2026, body-worn cameras will be rolled out across the Alberta Sheriffs. By mid-year, cameras will be worn by all on-duty sheriffs, including Fish and Wildlife Enforcement officers, while working in the public.

How and when recording takes place

While body-worn cameras will always be actively buffering, an officer must manually initiate a recording by tapping a button at the centre of the device. When the camera starts recording, it will:

  • retroactively save audiovisual data capturing the moments immediately prior to the start of a recording
  • emit an audible beep when recording is activated
  • activate a red light above the lens (light remains on during recording)

You can expect body-worn cameras to be turned on and recording when officers are:

  • interacting with the public
  • responding to a call
  • conducting an arrest
  • making a traffic stop
  • in any situation that may need to be recorded for evidence

Officers are also permitted to start recording where activating the camera may assist in de-escalating a potential situation.

Benefits of recording

Officers will record during law enforcement-related encounters to ensure:

  • transparency
  • accountability
  • the safety of everyone involved

Recorded camera data can also be used as evidence related to a public complaint, investigation or legal proceeding.

Privacy

The privacy of individuals is a top priority for Alberta’s government. Each agency participating in the provincial body-worn camera program has data retention, redaction and secure storage policies in place to protect Albertans.

Recorded data disclosed by the government for trial, review or any kind of legal proceeding will be redacted using blurring, blackout and audio removal tools to remove private, privileged and non-relevant information. This may include:

  • medical information
  • credit cards
  • safety plans for victims/witnesses
  • nudity
  • privileged information (such as with a lawyer or medical professional)

Data management

Data recorded by officers through their body-worn and in-car cameras is professionally managed:

Data security

All recorded data is uploaded to a secure, centralized digital evidence management system. It is then reviewed and redacted as required by designated staff.

Retention period

All recorded data – except for data recorded in error – is required to be stored for a minimum of 2 years, during which it can be used as needed as evidence related to:

  • a public or internal complaint
  • an investigation
  • a legal proceeding

Data deletion

  • Data queued for deletion is reviewed according to policies ensuring that any content considered to be evidence is removed from the deletion queue.
    • Any suspected case of a wrongful attempt to delete recorded evidence is escalated appropriately.
  • Recorded evidence not related to any ongoing matter is queued for deletion after the 2-year retention period.
  • Data recorded in error is immediately restricted and queued for deletion.

Contact

Connect with the Alberta Sheriffs:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 780-422-3500