Minneapolis cops' body camera proposal gets first look

Officer Chris Wicklund wears a camera
In this Nov. 5, 2014, file photo, Burnsville Police Department Sgt. Chris Wicklund wears a camera beneath his microphone.
Jim Mone | AP 2015

The Minneapolis Police Department on Tuesday released a draft of its body camera policy after getting public input through the Police Conduct Oversight Commission.

The nine-page draft lays out guidelines and policies officers should follow when using the cameras. The department's roughly 600 patrol officers will be equipped to wear the devices at all times during their shift.

The department said the 1st Precinct will get the body cameras starting in late May. It will then gradually roll out the program to other precincts. Full implementation of the body camera program is expected to be completed in October.

Police officers will be required to activate the cameras when they make a traffic stop or need to search a suspicious person or vehicle, according to the draft policy. In addition, officers can turn on cameras when they are taking statements from people or when they make contacts with citizens and "the officer feels that a recording is appropriate."

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"When feasible, officers are encouraged to inform members of the public that they are being recorded," the preliminary draft recommends. "If asked, officers should inform those inquiring that audio-video recording equipment is in use, unless doing so would be unsafe for officer and/or members of the public."

Each camera costs about $400, and storing data from cameras will cost between $80 and $100 per month for every officer, the police department said.

Two full-time staff members will help the department manage records of videos produced by officers' cameras.

Once officers start recording, the cameras will remain activated until the conclusion of the incident, according to the draft. Officers can deactivate cameras when they are assisting motorists or protecting accident scenes or they want to conceal the identity of an informant.

Officers assigned body cameras will also be required to wear the body cameras during off-duty work in Minneapolis while wearing their uniforms. Officers, who are required to undergo training on how to use the cameras, are prohibited from using the devices for personal use.

The department said it reviewed at least 18 other law enforcement agency policies before producing its preliminary draft.

Authorities emphasized that the document released Tuesday was not a final draft and that the department expects the language to "evolve" up until late May. People still wishing to share comments or concerns can email police@minneapolismn.gov with "Body Camera Policy" in the subject line.