Trent University
MyTrent
  • Academics
    • Undergraduate Programs
    • Graduate Programs
    • Trent Online
    • Summer Courses
    • Continuing Education
    • Study Abroad
    • Academic Calendar
    • Academic Timetable
    • Academic Skills Centre
    • Academic Advising
    • Library
    • Centre for Teaching and Learning
  • Admissions
    • Undergraduate
    • Thinking of Applying
    • Already Applied
    • Received an Offer
    • Accepted My Offer
    • Graduate
    • International
    • Indigenous
    • Returning to Trent
    • Transfer
  • Services & Support
    • Academic Advising
    • Academic Skills Centre
    • Administrative Departments
    • Alumni Services
    • Athletics
    • Campus Security
    • Careerspace
    • Colleges
    • Communications
    • Conferences
    • Financial Aid
    • Financial Services
    • Health & Wellness
    • Indigenous Services
    • Information Technology
    • International Students
    • Learning Support
    • Parking
    • Printshop
    • Recruitment
    • Registrar's Office
    • Residence & Housing
    • Student Clubs
    • TrentU Card
  • Research
    • Research at Trent
    • Research Centres
    • Find an Expert
    • Resources
  • Give to Trent
  • About Trent
    • About Trent
    • Careers
    • Giving to Trent
    • Governance
    • How to Find Us
    • Media
    • News & Events
    • President's Office
    • Staff Directory
    • Trent Facts
    • Contact Us
  • Campus Locations
    • Peterborough
    • Durham GTA
    • Online
  • Future Students
    • Undergraduate
    • Thinking of Applying
    • Already Applied
    • Received an Offer
    • Accepted My Offer
    • Graduate
    • International
    • Indigenous
    • Returning to Trent
    • Transfer
  • Current Students
  • Alumni
  • Trent Forward: COVID-19 Info
  • Apply
  • Visit
  • Give
  • Map
  • Careers
  • Directions
  • Library
  • Site Map
  • Bookstore
Skip to main content Home
  • Peterborough
  • Durham GTA
  • Online
  • MyTrent
MENU
Trent University
News and Events
  • Latest News
  • Trent Experts
  • For Media
  • For Faculty and Staff
  • Publications
  • Contact Us
  1. Trentu.ca
  2. News and Events

Student Research Uncovering Full Picture of Police Body-Worn Camera Program

February 22, 2022
Share This Story

Fourth-year Forensic Science student working with Peterborough Police Service to understand range of implications of using video equipment, recordings

Student Research Uncovering Full Picture of Police Body-Worn Camera Program
Fourth-year Forensic Science Sabrina Wolanczyk is with the Peterborough Police Service to better understand the range of implications of using body-worn cameras.

A student-led research project organized through the Trent Community Research Centre (TCRC) has the potential to transform local policing and public safety.

Sabrina Wolanczyk, a fourth-year Forensic Science and Lady Eaton College student, is delving into the complicated topic of body-worn cameras (BWCs) in collaboration with the Peterborough Police Service.

“There are a variety of views on the topic of body-worn cameras,” says Sabrina, who is completing a specialization in Law & Policing as a part of her undergraduate degree in Forensics.

“The goal of my research is to further understand how civilians and police officers feel about this new approach in police services, and there are a lot of factors to consider with this implementation, from human rights to proper use of technology.”

Her community-based research project is looking into many topics associated with BWCs, including: their ability to provide accurate representation of police encounters; impact on human rights and privacy; motives behind their use; and how they influence the officers’ ability on the job. Sabrina is also looking at issues that may drive public support for BWCs and their role to hold police services accountable.

Gaining Public Perspective & Profile

The year-long project includes an ethics application, as well as a survey of the public and an internal survey of police members. The public survey has been amplified by several local media outlets, elevating the importance and real-world implications of this project, and has received more 1,700 responses from the public to date.

"I believe this research is crucial for the Peterborough Police Service to not only obtain responses that can aid in the successful implementation of body-worn cameras, but to also enhance transparency, address concerns raised by residents, and engage the community in this important decision,” says Sabrina.

An in-depth literature review will also help identify gaps in research and examine decisions made by police services across Canada regarding BWCs. It will also illuminate individual opinions surrounding the devices.

“The research is all about compiling and reviewing the statistics and understanding the accuracy of the proposed benefits,” Sabrina says.

Gaining Real-World Experience  

Through the community-based research project, Sabrina collaborates directly with the Peterborough Police Service (PPS), and increases the capacity of the service to conduct this type of work.

“It’s a huge undertaking to be able to do this survey,” said Emily Jones, community development & engagement coordinator for PPS. “All of the research that has gone into developing and analyzing the survey and conducting a scan of what is happening across Ontario and Canada is a huge benefit to the service, and the student. The results of Sabrina’s research will be turned over to the police services leadership and board and factored into decisions around what’s next on the topic of body-worn cameras, so it’s really important that her work project engaged the public.”

“This is very different than any other course I've taken,” says Sabrina.

“I'm the project lead, which puts me in a valuable position to be applying and developing the knowledge and skills that I've gained throughout other courses. It’s also a great opportunity to meet people within the profession, research a pressing topic, and give back to the community.”

Intrigued by scientific and investigative work, Sabrina says the project can be applied to future work applications and help her explore careers in the paralegal and law enforcement fields.

Sabrina will be presenting her findings to senior members of the Peterborough Police Service at the TCRC Annual Celebration of Research in the spring.

“The project will have a big impact if they choose to implement body-worn cameras,” she says.

Learn more about Trent’s prestigious Forensics Science programs.

Learn more about Community-Based Research at Trent.

Find other stories about: Undergraduate, Career Centre, Research, Forensic Science, Trent Community Research Centre, displ

Share This Story

You Might Also Like

Trent Beat, Making headlines. Four images from multiple news stories. First is two students in a garden. Second is a person is sitting walking hockey. Third is a photo of a person reaching their hand in a tree. Fourth is three people sitting with a sign behind them saying "100's will die if supervised injection site closes".

Trent Beat: Bets, Health, and Local Dirt

Image of Kerri Mozessohn, sitting in Bata library, smiling at the camera.

An Inspired Journey: Transfer Student Dives into the World of Undergraduate Research

photo of people at the Jalynn Bennett Amphitheatre grand opening.

Jalynn Bennett Amphitheatre at Traill College a New Hub for Arts, Culture, Heritage, and Learning in Peterborough

Trent University logo
Challenge the Way You Think

Trent University respectfully acknowledges it is located on the treaty and traditional territory of the Mississauga Anishinaabeg. We offer our gratitude to First Peoples for their care for, and teachings about, our earth and our relations. May we honour those teachings.

Peterborough

1600 West Bank Drive
Peterborough, ON Canada, K9L 0G2

Toll Free: 1-855-MY-TRENT

Campus Map

Durham Greater Toronto Area

55 Thornton Road South
Oshawa, ON Canada, L1J 5Y1

Phone: 905-435-5100

Campus Map

Social Media Directory
  • Contact
  • Directions
  • Site Map
  • Accessibility
  • @ Copyright 2023 Trent University