After death of Sammy Yatim, should police wear body-mounted video cameras?

The shooting death of Sammy Yatim on board a downtown Toronto streetcar was captured by a multitude of cell phone cameras last weekend. But despite the best image clarity, angles and audio crispness, those videos can only capture portions of the story.

Yet the videos, many of which have been posted on YouTube, are already being cited and studied, leading to speculation about the actions of police officers before the knife-wielding teen was shot and Tasered.

Police Chief Bill Blair said he himself had viewed the footage and had serious questions. One officer has been suspended with pay after the shooting. Yet, based on a series of ongoing investigations, no one can openly discuss what happened that night.

No one is talking, except those witness-captured videos. Perhaps it is time for police officers to capture their own videos.

Toronto police were not wearing body-worn video cameras (BWV), but it is a practice that is catching on across North America. CBC News reports police in Edmonton and Amherstburg, Ont., are conducting trials with BWV. Ottawa has a similar project in action.

The benefit of BWV is the compilation of evidence, the ability to protect officers against false allegations and ensuring officers are held accountable for their actions.

[ Daily Brew: Officer involved in shooting of Sammy Yatim suspended ]

The downside, aside from cost and maintenance of the equipment, primarily comes down to privacy rights. The privacy of those who interact with officers throughout the day and, to a lesser extent, the privacy of the officers themselves.

But when it comes down to it, more and more clashes between police and the public are being caught on camera. Incidents like the 2007 death of Robert Dziekanski and the shooting death of Sammy Yatim.

The story is being told by grainy footage captured from a distance. It could be time to ensure footage is captured from the officers’ perspective as well.

What do you think: Should police wear body-mounted video cameras?