Further debate over body-worn cameras for City of Albany rangers deferred to April meeting

A debate over the issuing of body-worn cameras to City of Albany rangers has been pushed back a month following a motion to defer the item and its associated reports to the April round of meetings.

At the Community and Corporate Services Committee meeting earlier this month, a proposed three-month trial period for the cameras sparked debate among councillors.

Cr Greg Stocks tabled an amended motion requiring a report be presented to council following the three-month period before the cameras could be adopted for ongoing use.

The amendment was not voted on after Cr Chris Thomson tabled a procedural motion, which was carried 10-2 in favour, requesting the report be deferred and represented at the April 2023 round of meetings.

Cr Paul Terry and Cr John Shanhun voted against the deferral.

The original recommendation, presented in the officer’s report, called for the council to note the introduction of body-worn cameras for use and evaluation.

The recommendation did not have any stipulations beyond the end of the trial, but the officer’s report states the city intends to “deploy the body worn cameras on a permanent basis”.

Feedback from rangers and the community would be reviewed to inform any necessary changes to policy, but there was no stipulation council would have oversight of any changes.