Body cams could deter use of force by OPS officers, superintendent tells Abdi inquest

A senior Ottawa police official says body-worn cameras, which the force is already planning to try out, could help reduce the number of use-of-force incidents involving its officers. 

Supt. David Zackrias, who leads the Ottawa Police Service's (OPS) respect, values and inclusion directorate, made the remarks during Day 12 of a coroner's inquest into the death of Abdirahman Abdi.

Abdi, 38, was a Somali-Canadian man who struggled with his mental health. He died in July 2016 after a violent police arrest. The inquest is diving into the circumstances of his death in an effort to prevent other people from meeting the same fate.

Zackrias's testimony on Monday and Tuesday outlined the types of training officers receive, including mandatory, two-and-a-half-hour anti-Black racism training for all members. 

He was also walked through recent annual reports that show that of the approximately 300 use-of-force incidents a year in Ottawa, Black civilians continue to be overrepresented. 

Community was 'asking for those'

At the end of his examination in chief on Tuesday, Zackrias was asked by inquest lawyer Alessandra Hollands if there's anything else that can or should be done to address racial disparities in use-of-force data. 

Zackrias replied that OPS works closely with Peel Regional Police, which he said has seen a considerable drop in use-of-force incidents since equipping officers with body-worn cameras. OPS has announced a plan to try them out in the coming years. 

"I think it's [an] important piece," Zackrias said. "Even during our community consultations, it was pretty clear that [the] community was asking for those."

Hollands asked if part of the purpose of introducing body cameras is to deter the use of force by officers.

"The body-worn camera will provide a clear picture in terms of ... what's happening," Zackrias replied. "So it will go both ways in terms of officer and also the subject as well."

Hollands then asked how cameras will help lower the amount of force used against Black and Middle Eastern people specifically.

"By reducing the overall number," Zackrias said. Based on what the Peel Regional Police reported, "it would be my sort of view that those numbers will drop further down [in Ottawa too]."

However, Zackrias could not say that the cameras would reduce "the racial disparity." They would help protect officers against unfounded complaints, he added. 

The inquest continues on Wednesday.