About
Deaths in the incarcerated population are increasing, and the detection of ingested drugs prior to booking — including fentanyl — is a growing concern for police services. Regina Police experienced an in-custody death in early 2024.
Project Overview
Regina Police operate ten holding cells whose primary function is to sober people during drug-related stints in custody. This population is at high risk for medical emergencies, and monitoring relied on traditional 15-minute visual checks.
Challenges
- Police staffing shortages
- Budget cuts
- Manual 15-minute visual checks
- Cost of a death investigation
- Officer wellness
- Public perception
Solution
GT Global Services installed biometric sensors in tamper-proof containers in all ten holding cells. The sensors use radar technology to continuously monitor heart and respiration rates, and trigger an audio and visual alert if readings fall outside a normal range. This replaces reliance on traditional 15-minute visual checks.
Benefits / At a Glance
- Continuous 24/7×365 monitoring
- Non-invasive
- Private
- Medical emergencies reduced
“An alarm will go off if the person’s vital signs go outside a defined range, indicating they are in distress. Within hours of installation a woman was detected as being in distress, medical intervention occurred and a life was saved.”
— Staff Sgt Pierre Beauchesne, Regina Police
Conclusion
Biometric monitoring gives Regina Police a safe, private and contact-free way to watch over people in custody. The system uses no cameras and no microphones, protecting privacy while providing continuous oversight of vital signs.
Learn more about our Correctional Facility solutions.
