'Enhance detainee care': Barrie police add new monitoring equipment to cells

News release - Barrie Police Service

Care of those in police custody is being enhanced by the Barrie Police Service, as five cells are now equipped with bio-metric sensors mounted on the ceiling to monitor the health of individuals in police custody. These bio-metric sensors can monitor motion, respiration and heartbeat and will be invaluable in providing instant health updates when a person is in police custody.

Alerts will sound to notify those who work in the cellblock that the individual is experiencing a change in symptoms and may need additional medical attention. The Barrie Police Service has worked with the County of Simcoe Paramedic Services to ensure that paramedics are aware of the bio-metric sensors and the additional information that BPS members serving in the cellblock will now have access to.

“The safety and dignity of anyone, while in the custody of the police, is paramount, and as long as they are in our care, we are responsible for their health and welfare,” said Barrie Police Chief Rich Johnston. “This new equipment will give those assigned to our cellblock an additional means to provide the highest level of detainee care available.”

The bio-metric sensors are just another tool that will be used to monitor the well-being of individuals in police custody. Combined with the regular and frequent face-to-face wellness checks that already take place, as well as video and audio monitoring, the bio-metric sensors will allow an extra level of care.

On Monday, June 10^, County of Simcoe Paramedic Chief Sarah Mills and the Paramedic Services Leadership team visited the Barrie Police Cells to view the new monitoring equipment and learn more about how it works.