Hamilton police to update board members on drone program amid privacy concerns
Board chair Pat Mandy said the police service will provide an update on May 25
Hamilton Police Services (HPS) is set to provide its board with an update on its drone program amid concerns about privacy and transparency.
Pat Mandy, chair of the police services board, refused an interview but offered a statement to CBC Hamilton through spokesperson Kirsten Stevenson, saying the board has asked HPS to provide an update on May 25.
"To date, the board has not be made aware of any concerns relating to the HPS [drone] program," read Mandy's statement.
This comes after a CBC Hamilton investigation revealed details about when, how and why police use drones.
It prompted privacy researchers to point out "red flags" in the program including a lack of transparency and gaps in its privacy impact assessment.
The former privacy commissioner also said HPS should halt its program and the current commissioner should launch a province-wide investigation into how police use drones.
The current commissioner said it hasn't received any complaints about the program and hasn't opened a file to investigate.
Since then, some community groups and leaders have voiced concerns about the program, while others have said the benefits outweigh a potential invasion of privacy.
Some criticism was levelled at the police services board, with people saying it isn't holding the service accountable.
CBC Hamilton tried to reach all police board members for comment. CBC was unable to contact Robert Elms, one of the board's three provincially appointed members.
Vice chair Fred Bennink didn't respond and the other members deferred to Stevenson and Mandy.
WATCH | Police across Canada use drones. Here's why that's raising privacy concerns:
Mandy wasn't chair of the board when HPS got approval to purchase drones back in 2020.
In her statement, she noted HPS entered into a partnership with Mohawk College on the use of drones at the time.
"Mohawk College is known for its robust [drone] training and development program and has had success in implementing programs with other emergency services," she wrote.
"This partnership allows for the development and deployment of strategies to create best practices for the HPS [drone] program."
Mohawk College spokesperson Bill Steinburg said the school has a partnership with numerous organizations and its role focuses on "government regulations and best practices related to the safe and competent operation of drones."
"We are not in a position to comment on another organization's policies and practices beyond that," Steinburg said in a statement.
"It is incredibly important that they are operated safely and in compliance with the governing regulations," he said.
Mohawk College announced earlier this week it established a new research site for drones in Hamilton's Windermere Basin.
The school and the city established a three-year pilot agreement to use the area.
The hope is to make the city a "regional" hub for research, while attracting tech companies and drone developers to the region while also advancing innovation nationally.
The research is set to start in the spring.
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