Mpls. Mayor, Police Chief: 'Body Cameras Are Finally Here.'

Minneapolis, MN – Mayor Betsy Hodges and Police Chief Janeé Harteau issued a letter and supporting documents Friday outlining the Minneapolis Police Department body camera policy and considerations that were made when resolving issues within the policy.

"Officer-worn body cameras are merely a tool for improving police-community relations; they are not a solution in themselves," reads one of the documents.

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"But body cameras are an important tool, one that will help us continue to transform the relationship between police and community for the better. They are not the final step in transparency, but they are a big step toward it."

"Now body cameras are finally here. Earlier this month, officers in the 1st Precinct in downtown Minneapolis began wearing them. Later this month, officers in the 4th Precinct in North Minneapolis will be wearing them, and over the course of the summer and fall, officers in all parts of Minneapolis will be wearing them."

The full MPD Body Worn Cameras policy is available at section 4-223 of the Minneapolis Police Department Policy and Procedure Manual.

DOCUMENTS:

• Cover letter introducing the policy and following documents
• Community concerns raised about body camera policy and explanation of the considerations that went into addressing those concern
• Backgrounder providing overview and history of the body camera program

Image via Minneapolis Police Department