Public asked to weigh in on body cameras

After about 1,400 people responded to a survey on the use of police body cameras, St. Paul residents are now being invited by the police department to two discussions on the subject.

6 p.m. Tuesday, November 10 at the Eastern Patrol District, 722 Payne Ave.

“There are many benefits to a body-camera program, one of those is simply the public expects the Glendale Police Department to have and operate at the highest level possible, and we pride ourselves in doing that as best that we can”.

“Part of having the body worn cameras is it protects the officers, as well”. A few of the big questions include how the cameras could impact crime victims, the legal ramifications and what technology the department will need.

Concerns about the studies arise from how quickly they were carried out and the small sample sizes they used.

“I don’t think the public is fully aware of the depth they’re asking for when they put cameras on police officers”, said Spearing.

Over 175 law enforcement officers from across the country are debating every aspect of the cameras over the next few days, from how to fund them to privacy issues. “We think that is a conflict of interest”, said Martin.

More body cameras are on the way for city of Houston police, but a policy, or essentially a rule book, has to be approved first and that is proving to be hard.

The commissioner of the state Department of Administration rejected a request to temporarily wall off the data. In Orlando, Police Chief John Mina says he wants all his patrol officers to have them.

Barry Lytton can be reached at 651-228-5453.