CCTV with ALPR

The Waterloo Regional Police Service is proud to announce the expanded use of closed-circuit television (CCTV) and automated licence plate recognition (ALPR) systems in public locations across Waterloo Region to help prevent and solve serious crimes.

CCTV and ALPR systems provide WRPS officers with an additional tool to support investigations and enhance public safety. In the event of a crime or major incident, officers can review footage and data from these systems to gather evidence from the surrounding area. 

Camera locations will be determined through statistical analysis conducted by the WRPS Crime Analysis Unit. A complete list of deployment sites will be posted here closer to the go-live date.

The CCTV ALPR systems are anticipated to go live in late 2025/early 2026. 
Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

CCTV cameras are a type of security camera. WRPS will be utilizing a combination of different types of cameras depending on the location. These cameras will be used for law enforcement purposes in relation to specific investigations. Some of the camera types have the ability to utilize ALPR which automatically scans and detects licence plates. This technology has been utilized in the In-Car Camera systems since 2021. None of the camera types register the speed of passing vehicles and they will not be utilized for automatic speed enforcement.   

WRPS has set a goal to utilize technology to improve public safety. It is expected that CCTV will have several positive impacts on public safety, including: 

  • Provide best evidence for court 

  • Provide officers with evidence to improve investigative outcomes 

  • Support the WRPS Crime Suppression Strategy 

  • Decrease social disorder incidents 

WRPS’ Crime Analysis Unit conducted a 3-year historical review. Uniform Crime Report data specifically relating to crimes against person, violent crime and shooting locations, was used to identify placement zones. Sites have been selected from those zones to pilot the camera system. WRPS plans to publish the locations of the cameras on the website prior to the cameras being activated. The program is expected to have a phased deployment with updates being shared on the website. 

WRPS emphasizes building trust through transparency, ethical conduct and community engagement. We are committed to informing the public about the use of technologies such as CCTV and ALPR with regular reporting to the WRPS Police Services Board.  

In addition to regular reporting, WRPS hosted information sessions in Fall 2025 during which members presented the project, and residents had the opportunity to ask questions. Media releases and social media posts will also serve to inform the community prior to the cameras being turned on.  

Camera locations will be published on the WRPS website, and signage will be present at all camera locations to indicate the use of CCTV. Information will be updated should cameras be added or moved.

The WRPS Strategic Business Plan outlines a commitment to leveraging technology to enhance public safety. Since 2017, WRPS has successfully utilized ALPR in police vehicles, demonstrating its value as a policing tool. Technological advancements have made it possible to combine CCTV and ALPR on the same platform, which allows for the combined benefits of both programs. Expanding ALPR to fixed locations, supported in part by the provincial grant funding, represents a natural progression in WRPS’s efforts to improve operational efficiency and community safety. 

Privacy

A Privacy Impact Assessment has been initiated to assess compliance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA). Internal procedures have been created to introduce appropriate controls. Additionally, WRPS has engaged with the Information and Privacy Commissioner’s (IPC) office.

All data collected by the cameras is encrypted and only accessible to authorized users. Recordings cannot be edited, altered or deleted from the video device. Security authentication steps are in place to ensure only authorized users can view recordings once they are uploaded.  

Digital privacy screens and home configurations on PTZ cameras will be used to ensure the cameras do not capture any locations deemed private (e.g., private residences adjacent to camera locations). 

The system will not be monitored 24/7. Internal procedures dictate the limited circumstances under which a camera can be accessed for live monitoring, including an approval process and only by specified authorized users.

A formal process and procedure have been developed which ensure recordings can only be accessed retrospectively with approval. Access to recordings for this purpose must be in relation to an ongoing investigation. 

Any request to view the data must be made through the WRPS Access to Information Unit and is governed by the relevant provisions in MFIPPA and other legislation. Video will only be deleted in accordance with retention periods. 

A member of the public and/or their representative(s) may be allowed to view CCTV recordings that capture an incident in which they were involved for certain purposes, such as: 

  • As required, consistent with and to assist in the investigation of a matter (e.g., to assist in identification, as part of an interview, witness preparation); and 

  • When attempting to informally resolve a complaint or potential complaint into the conduct of a WRPS member; such viewing will be at the discretion of the Professional Standards Branch Inspector. 

Yes, the technology includes features which utilize facial recognition. The use of these features is currently out of scope and they will be turned off. Should WRPS consider turning on features utilizing facial recognition, this information will be updated. 

Procedure

It is expected that some incidents captured by the CCTV system could be used by WRPS to improve performance and to provide necessary training. There are restrictions and processes in place that dictate when videos can be used for this purpose, including closed investigation/court proceeding and vetting to protect the privacy of all individuals. 

Unlike other jurisdictions, there are significant privacy implications in Canada and Ontario that govern any Canadian police agency’s ability to release footage from the CCTV system. If it were determined that a video may protect the public and/or further an investigation, it may be vetted for release in the same way security videos obtained from the public are released. In every case, the privacy of victims and uninvolved members of the public will always be considered. 

Yes, while several procedures govern the use of this and other technologies, a specific CCTV Procedure has been developed. It provides officers with operational direction that includes, but is not limited to when and how data collected by the CCTV system can be used, and responsibilities for supervisors and Senior Leaders.    

The CCTV system and Digital Evidence Management System (where extracted evidence will be stored) have established organizational-wide controls to ensure secure storage, transfer and disposal of all records created by the CCTV system.  

Like any other allegation of misconduct for non-compliance with a procedure, complaint investigations can be initiated by the Chief of Police or made to the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA). Once substantiated, officers may face any number of disciplinary actions, up to and including dismissal. 

No. Access to the CCTV system is limited. Members of our Real-Time Operations Centre will have 24-hour access to the system; however, a law enforcement purpose is required to access the live stream or recordings. The CCTV Procedure identifies the approvals necessary for accessing the system in these two circumstances. There are strict auditing measures in place that track all access to the system, including the reason for access.  

Storage and Security 

The CCTV data has a retention period of 30 days. Any information extracted from the system in relation to a specific investigation will be stored in accordance with existing evidence retention periods. 

The CCTV data will be securely stored on web servers located in Canada. 

The CCTV data is encrypted and will be automatically uploaded from the camera to the cloud-based storage system. 

Strict controls have been developed to govern who has access to the CCTV data. Members of the Real-Time Operations Centre (RTOC) will have 24-hour access to the system; however, access is always required for law enforcement purposes. These members will receive system and privacy training. RTOC will facilitate access for other members of the service in accordance with the CCTV Procedure.