Ottawa Police Use AI Facial Recognition in Body Camera Pilot

Ottawa Police are now using AI facial recognition technology with their body-worn cameras. This system helps investigators process video evidence faster than before.
By Newsroom | Law Enforcement, Technology |

As of April 7, 2026, the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) has initiated the first phase of an AI-powered facial recognition program. The technology is being integrated into the existing body-worn camera pilot, which was formally expanded on June 24, 2025.

The system aims to augment human investigators by automating the processing of extensive video evidence, specifically targeting major case footage that historically requires significant manual review.

Operational Parameters and Oversight

The implementation involves specific technical and administrative structures regarding how visual data is handled:

  • Evidence Integrity: Original recordings are routed into a digital management system. Officials state that these files are immutable and cannot be edited, intending to serve as reliable evidence for judicial proceedings.

  • ALPR Distinction: Existing Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) systems, currently operational in five cruisers, function independently of the new facial recognition software.

  • Governance Requirements: The Ottawa Police Services Board and City Council face growing demands to define strict policy boundaries, including:

  • Data retention timelines.

  • Access authorization levels for personnel.

  • Technical safeguards against algorithmic misuse.

Institutional Stance vs. Civil Liberties

The integration of these [surveillance tools ] has elicited conflicting perspectives regarding the necessity of efficiency versus the protection of public anonymity.

"They do not replace human judgment; they support it." — Jean-Claude Lemonde, Chief Information Officer, OPS.

Conversely, external observers express apprehension regarding the readiness of current legal frameworks to govern such technology. Sharon Polsky, president of the Privacy and Access Council of Canada, has argued that the domestic infrastructure is currently unprepared for the scope of police-led AI deployment, raising specific concerns about the intensification of surveillance in historically marginalized neighborhoods such as Lowertown.

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Contextual Background

The shift toward AI-enhanced policing is part of a broader, ongoing push by the Ottawa Police Service toward technological modernization. Previous efforts have centered on digitizing evidence and updating internal district models. This recent expansion reflects a pattern of adopting computational tools to address administrative and investigative bottlenecks. However, the movement toward AI face-matching represents a notable transition from purely evidentiary recording to active, automated identification of individuals in public spaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is the Ottawa Police Service using AI facial recognition with body cameras?
The Ottawa Police Service is using AI facial recognition to help investigators process large amounts of video evidence more quickly. The system is part of a pilot program integrated with their body-worn cameras.
Q: How does this AI facial recognition system work with body cameras?
The AI system is designed to automatically process video footage from body-worn cameras. It aims to support human investigators by speeding up the review of major case evidence that usually takes a lot of manual work.
Q: What are the privacy concerns with this new AI technology?
Some groups are worried about increased surveillance, especially in neighborhoods like Lowertown. They question if current laws are ready for this type of police AI technology and how data will be kept and accessed.
Q: What is the police service's response to these concerns?
The Ottawa Police Service states that the AI technology is meant to support, not replace, human judgment. They are working with the Ottawa Police Services Board and City Council to set clear rules for data retention, access, and safeguards against misuse.