Police say the new sensors can monitor movement, breathing and heart rate and will be “invaluable” in providing instant updates on the health status of people in custody.
news release
Barry Police Station
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Barry Police Station is stepping up the care of people in police custody, with biometric sensors now being installed in the ceilings of five cells to monitor the health of individuals in police custody.
These biometric sensors can monitor movement, breathing and heart rate and are extremely useful in providing instant updates on the health status of a person in police custody.
An alarm will sound, notifying those working in the cell block that there has been a change in the patient's condition and that additional medical attention may be required.
The Barrie Police Department (BPS) has partnered with Simcoe County Emergency Medical Services to ensure paramedics have biometric sensors and additional information that BPS officers working in cell blocks will now have access to.
“The safety and dignity of anyone in police custody is paramount and we are responsible for their health and wellbeing for as long as they are in police custody,” Barrie Police Chief Rich Johnston said. “This new facility will give those assigned to our cells an additional tool to provide the highest level of detainee care.”
Biometric sensors are just another tool used to monitor the health of individuals in police custody. Combined with the regular and frequent in-person health checks and video and audio monitoring already in place, biometric sensors can enable an even greater level of care.
On Monday, June 10, Simcoe County Paramedic Chief Sarah Mills and her Paramedic Services leadership team visited the Barrie Police Detention Centre to inspect the new monitoring equipment and learn more about how it works.
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