Halton Police Boost Public Safety with $1.18M Investment in Advanced Facial Recognition Technology

Recently, the Halton Police Board approved a $1.18 million contract for this technology.

They will use the same system as Peel and York police, which has been operational since May 2024. This move aims to improve investigations by sharing resources and accessing more images.

Deputy Chief Jeff Hill emphasized that only legally obtained images will be matched against existing mugshots. He assured that identifying someone through this process doesn’t automatically imply guilt. “Further investigation is necessary to confirm any leads,” he explained.

Halton Chief Stephen Tanner advocated for broader access to national databases, expressing frustration over the current limitations. “It’s absurd not to check a national bank robber database when we have a suspect’s photo,” he stated.

Initially, the system’s setup and maintenance will cost about $362,764 in the first year and $180,643 annually for the next four years.

Hill mentioned that this technology could help Halton Police solve more cases and reduce property crimes. Feedback from Peel police indicates they’ve had positive results using similar systems.

Tanner pointed out that the public may already expect these capabilities from police. He also noted that Halton will benefit from the security measures already established by Peel and York, as they collaborate to create consistent policies for technology use.

“We want to respect privacy and avoid mistakes,” Hill added, aiming for a unified approach among the three police forces.

Bill Payne, Halton’s director of information technology, said they plan to engage with the community, providing clarity on how this technology works and its implications.