Cambridge and Waterloo Regional Police Service finalize two agreements aimed at improving coordination, response times and community safety
CAMBRIDGE, Ont. — The City of Cambridge and the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) are moving ahead with two new public safety agreements designed to strengthen coordination between municipal and police services, improve response times and support crime prevention efforts across the city.
The agreements include the creation of a shared by-law dispatch service and the implementation of Closed Communication Television (CCTV) systems in selected public areas, according to a joint announcement from the city and WRPS.
City officials said the initiatives are intended to improve operational efficiency while balancing privacy considerations and public accountability.
“These agreements reflect our commitment to keeping Cambridge a safe community for residents and visitors to enjoy, while working collaboratively with our partners at WRPS,” said Mayor Jan Liggett. “They are part of our ongoing efforts to improve how we work together to respond to issues in the community while ensuring privacy, accountability and public trust remain a priority. This partnership was able to be utilized recently when a robbery occurred overnight at LA Franks. Through the use of our cameras the possibility of who the persons were became clearer, as well as how the robbery was carried out. Being able to have sound evidence to take to court and remove criminals from our community is something that we all want.”
Shared dispatch service aimed at improving coordination
Under the first agreement, WRPS will manage by-law enforcement call intake, triage and dispatch services on behalf of the city. Municipal officials said the arrangement is expected to streamline communication between by-law officers and police, while improving access to support during incidents requiring additional assistance.
The city said the centralized model will help improve coordination when responding to community concerns and enhance officer safety in the field.
“From an operational perspective, this work shows what is possible when City staff and Waterloo Regional Police Service staff are aligned and working together,” said Rob Axiak, City Manager for the City of Cambridge. “When our teams partner closely on day-to-day operational matters, including public safety, we improve coordination, response times, and outcomes for the community. Working together in this way is what the community expects and will continue to be our path forward.”
Municipal leaders said the dispatch partnership reflects a broader effort to modernize service delivery and improve inter-agency collaboration as demand for community safety resources continues to evolve.
CCTV program to support investigations and crime prevention
Camera locations to be determined in coordination with WRPS
The second agreement will allow WRPS to use CCTV systems in select public spaces throughout Cambridge. Officials said the technology is intended to support investigations, deter criminal activity and provide evidence in incidents requiring police response.
Installation of the cameras will be coordinated jointly by the city and WRPS, with specific locations to be determined by police based on operational needs.
The city emphasized that the CCTV systems will not be used for general surveillance and will not monitor individuals or drivers in real time. Access to recorded information will be restricted to authorized WRPS personnel and used solely for legitimate law enforcement purposes.
“Public safety is a collective responsibility. This partnership with the City of Cambridge will allow WRPS to leverage CCTV technology to provide best evidence and support investigations, while ensuring our Service remains transparent and accountable to the residents we serve,” said Mark Crowell, Chief of Police, Waterloo Regional Police Service
City officials said privacy protections have been built into the agreements to address concerns related to data collection and surveillance. Both agreements will comply with Ontario’s Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), according to the announcement.
More details to be shared as rollout progresses
The City of Cambridge and WRPS said additional information about both agreements will be released as implementation moves forward.
Officials also encouraged residents seeking more information about the CCTV initiative to visit the WRPS website for program details and future updates.
The agreements mark another step in the growing collaboration between municipal governments and police services across Ontario as communities look to balance public safety needs with accountability and privacy safeguards.