CCTV cameras and automated licence plate recognition (ALPR) systems are tools used by police to support public safety and investigations. CCTV cameras record video footage in public areas but do not capture audio, while ALPR technology scans licence plates and compares them with police databases to identify vehicles associated with investigations, such as stolen or wanted vehicles. These systems are used to help officers gather evidence, identify suspects, and respond more effectively to incidents.

The purpose is to enhance public safety and support investigations into crime and serious incidents in the Region of Waterloo. CCTV and ALPR provide officers with additional tools to gather evidence that can help detect and deter crime, support investigations, and improve responses to incidents.

Camera locations are selected using crime data, calls for service, and public safety considerations. Cameras are placed in high-traffic public areas such as intersections and roadways. The goal is to focus on locations where cameras can provide the greatest investigative and public safety benefit. Once the cameras are installed, the WRPS will publicly post a map of the locations for public transparency, and notice will be posted at the identified locations to inform the public.

Cameras are overt and will be clearly marked with signage at each location. WRPS will also provide information on its website and through community engagement so that residents understand where the cameras are located, how they are used, and what safeguards are in place.

Privacy is a key consideration in this program. WRPS met with the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC) and completed a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) as part of the program’s development. The PIA outlines how personal information is collected, used, protected, retained, and destroyed, and helps ensure the program mitigates privacy and security risks. Various safeguards are implemented within the program, including, but not limited to, restricted access to authorized members, audit logging of all activity, clear rules governing use and disclosure, and automatic deletion of footage after 30 days.  

No. Facial recognition is not used as part of this program.

Yes. The use of CCTV and ALPR is governed by WRPS Police Services Board Policy and the Chief of Police’s Procedure. The policy and procedure set out when footage can be accessed, how it can be used, and who is authorized to use the system.

Officer access is strictly limited to situations where there is a legitimate law enforcement purpose and must comply with legal requirements, Board Policy, and the Chief’s Procedure. In most cases, officers review historical (recorded) footage after an incident to support investigations. Access to live footage is limited and is only used in specific, high-priority situations - such as major or unfolding incidents- where real-time information is necessary to support public and officer safety.

Footage that is not used for law enforcement purposes is automatically deleted after approximately 30 days. If footage is required for an investigation, it is retained in accordance with the WRPS’ policies and procedures governing evidence retention.

The CCTV data will be securely stored on servers located in Canada. The data is encrypted and automatically uploaded from the camera to an encrypted cloud-based storage system. Access to the system is restricted to authorized WRPS members. The vendor and municipal partners do not have access to the camera footage.