Another Canadian Police Service Looks to Biometrics for Inmate Safety

The Barrie Police Service (BPS) has installed new biometric sensors in five holding cells to improve the care and monitoring of detainees.

The advanced sensors are designed to track motion, respiration, and heartbeat, providing real-time health updates for individuals in custody. If a detainee’s health status changes, alarms will sound in the cellblock, alerting staff to the need for medical attention.

BPS has collaborated with the County of Simcoe Paramedic Services to ensure paramedics are aware of the biometric sensors and the additional health information now available to police officers. The enhancement is part of BPS’s broader efforts to prioritize the safety and dignity of those in custody.

“The safety and dignity of anyone, while in the custody of the police, is paramount, and as long as they are in our care, we are responsible for their health and welfare,” commented Barrie Police Chief Rich Johnston.

The new biometric sensors complement existing detainee monitoring tools, which include frequent wellness checks, as well as video and audio monitoring systems.

The news of the BPS adopting the use of biometric monitoring comes a few weeks after its colleagues in Ontario from the Thunder Bay Police Service (TBPS) launched a similar effort called “Custody Protect”.

Custody Protect is a pilot project that also introduced real-time biometric monitoring for individuals in police custody, and laid claim to being the first of its kind in Canada. The initiative was developed in collaboration with 4Sight Labs, and likewise aims to enhance detainee safety by continuously monitoring biometric data and providing alerts for critical health events.

Last year, the Arlington County Sheriff’s Department in Virginia launched its own ‘Custody Project,’ a one-year pilot program using biometric wearables to monitor the health of inmates.That trial involved inmates from the county prison’s medical unit, who were equipped with rugged electronic wristbands designed to monitor heart rate, pulse, oxygen levels, and movement.

Source: CTV News

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June 12, 2024 – by Tony Bitzionis