ACLU: Benefits of police cameras outweigh potential harm

The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota said it supports wearable cameras for police officers, despite privacy concerns.

ACLU lobbyist Benjamin Feist told state legislators at a hearing Friday that the technology has the potential to improve public trust in the police.

Police in Duluth and Burnsville already use body cameras to record their interactions with the public. Minneapolis begins testing the technology next month.

Earlier: Minneapolis OKs testing body cameras on cops

Privacy advocates worry the cameras will record crime victims in potentially sensitive situations, and that the videos could be made public. But Feist said if cameras are used properly, they will help protect people.

"We feel that the issues that could come up in terms of surveillance and privacy concerns are probably outweighed by the public benefits in making sure that we have this accountability tool and feature," he said.

Feist said the cameras should remain running at all times, and police should notify citizens they're being recorded. He also said there should be limits on who can access the videos.

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