A press release from the OPP's West Region Headquarters in London reminds us that, as of April 1, an automated licence plate reader, coupled with an in-car video system capable of recording interactions between the officer and the public, will have been installed in each of the force's frontline vehicles, and officers have been trained in their use and deployment.

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Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) West Region detachments have completed the process to install and activate Automated Licence Plate Recognition (ALPR) and In-Car-Camera (ICC) systems in all patrol vehicles by the end of March.

By the time the ALPR/ICC rollout is complete, over 300 West Region patrol vehicles will have had the systems installed.

As a result of investments made by government in the OPP and municipal police services in the province, the OPP is introducing ICC video recording equipment with an integrated ALPR functionality to all its frontline police vehicles at detachments across Ontario.

Since ALPR/ICC system installations began in February, officers from all 13 West Region detachments have been surprised by the high number of drivers flagged by the system for operating vehicles that do not have valid, registered plates. Although vehicle owners are not required to purchase a validation sticker for their vehicle, licence plates are still required to be renewed annually or bi-annually.

In addition to the benefits that will come with having an objective video recording of an interaction between an officer and member of the public, the integrated ALPR functionality will dramatically enhance the ability of an officer to detect licence plates that are linked with criminal or traffic offences. Examples would include plates associated with wanted or missing people, stolen vehicles, stolen or unattached licence plates, suspended and prohibited drivers and with other emergent situations like Amber Alerts.

This is an example of the OPP's commitment to increasing transparency and accountability in the policing of our communities, and to leverage technologies that will enhance community and officer safety. These technologies will be used to gather enhanced evidence to be used in the prosecution of offences and will also highlight the professionalism our members display every day as they work to ensure safe communities.

Members of West Region OPP are committed to public safety, delivering proactive and innovative policing in partnership with our communities. Officers value your contribution to building safe communities.

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source: media release, OPP West Region