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We asked and you answered.

A majority of readers who took our recent poll believe that RCMP officers should wear body cameras. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday June 8 he believes the RCMP should wear body cameras and has spoken with the RCMP Commissioner about it.

Some Facebook readers believe it’s not just a yes or no question while others are on board with the idea. Canadians joined the world in reaction to a Minneapolis police officer killing George Floyd, but there are many recent instances in Canada that had far less of an impact because we didn't see what happened. 

READ MORE: POLL: Should body cameras be mandatory for all RCMP officers?

Here are some of our readers' thoughts after we asked if body cameras should be worn by all RCMP officers:

Anthony Zelen: It should increase convictions and keep everyone accountable and responsible for their actions.

Barry Laughren: Absolutely, it shouldn't even be a question.

Terry Ostashek: I'm of mixed feelings on this issue! Once again, we punish or inconvenience the larger majority over the actions of an insignificant few. Perhaps each and every one of us should also be "forced" to wear a body cam to show everything that we do, see and say? I make no excuse for bad cops, but it would be interesting to see how the collective "we" would act and speak towards the police AND each other if we knew that our own actions and words were being videotaped. We, the collective "we" have lost all sense of respect for law and order as well as for each other as we narcissistically move through our self-entitled lives. Don't think so? Think of how indignant we get if the police dare to even stop us and issue us a ticket for doing 60 km in a 30 km school zone! How dare they! In today's day and age, you couldn't pay me enough to be a cop! Remember, those complaining the loudest about the police, are usually also the first to yell for the police when things go awry! As always, nothing is ever as simple as we would hope it to be! So let's institute more rules and regulations and then we'll all be fine, right?

Marianne Young Crabb: Yes so we can reward the good cops and punish the bad ones with proof of both.

Dale Hedquist: Without a question. It’s a source of evidence for both the officer and the suspect.

Lana Derkach: Yes. But they need to be downloaded every shift and employ someone to overview the footage signing off reviewed! If footage not uploaded then reprimands! They can be used as a learning tool also for cadets and senior officers to better deal with updating methods and procedures.

Andrew Brunn: Make them mandatory, and if any officer is caught turning it off while on duty, they can go on unpaid until they know how to use it properly.

Gail Perkins Crossley: Yes, for protection of all parties.

Alex Doe: For the officer’s protection.

Christine Laycock Vanderkroft: We have cameras everywhere to keep track of everything done in public. Why not have accountability for the officer and for their protection?

Brian Low: Not all but some key policing duties need them.

Jesse Docherty: Absolutely. It's not to punish the police or saying that they are all bad. It's about accountability.

Do you agree with our readers’ comments? Send us your own opinion and thoughts via email or comment below.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Carli Berry or call 250-864-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. 

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