Vancouver police have made clear they’re not “randomly” listening to residents’ phone calls, but still won’t say whether they’re in possession of a surveillance tool that’s drawing controversy south of the border.

Earlier this year, civil liberties advocates filed a freedom-of-information request to find out if the Vancouver Police Department is using so-called Stingray technology, which is capable of intercepting text and audio communications.

The request was rejected, but on Friday the VPD issued a statement clarifying that it’s not in the business of “randomly listening to private cell phone conversations.”

The department said it does not provide information about its investigative techniques, however, over concerns that doing so could potentially compromise its probes.

“Not confirming or denying the possession of a piece of equipment prevents individuals from using a process of elimination to find out what specific tools are used in sensitive covert investigations,” Const. Brian Montague said in a statement.

“Speculating the police have a piece of equipment simply because it has been used in other countries or by other police departments would be an inappropriate assumption.”

Stingray devices have become a hot-button issue in the U.S., where the American Civil Liberties Union alleges at least 57 agencies in 22 states own them. Critics fear the devices allow police to gather information, including internal phone data and people’s locations, without needing to go through the courts.

On Friday, B.C. Premier Christy Clark said she’s confident any surveillance conducted by Vancouver police faces tough legal scrutiny.

There needs to be a balance between protecting people’s privacy rights and giving law enforcement the tools they need to fight crime, Clark added.

“I think VPD has done a pretty good job of finding that balance in the past and I’m hopeful they’ll continue to do that,” she said.

Pivot Legal Society, which filed the request about the use of Stingray technology that the VPD declined to fill, said it has filed an appeal with B.C.’s information and privacy commissioner.

With a report from CTV Vancouver’s Scott Hurst and files from The Canadian Press