Cold Spring Chief Supports Adding Body Cameras To Department

(KNSI) – The Cold Spring Police Department will be the latest local law enforcement agency to have its officers wearing body cameras. The Cold Spring City Council approved the body cameras at Tuesday’s city council meeting. Cold Spring/Richmond Police Chief Jason Blum says body cameras help protect the officers and the public.

“We’re excited to get them. All the officers feedback I’ve gotten from the guys is that will be working the road with them are excited to get them. It’s another piece for people to see the point of view from the officer. It helps with evidence collection. And it protects the officer as well as the community.”

The cameras should arrive in the next six to 12 weeks. Cheif Blum says the cameras will be used anytime evidence is gathered or dealing directly with the public.

“The majority of the interactions with the public they will have them on. Anytime there for a call for service, if there’s a potential for collection of evidence, it’s expected that the cameras are going to be on.”

The department will buy 13 body cameras, one for each patrol officer. Chief Blum says the body cameras cost $8,000 each ($104,000 total), but thanks to a federal grant for the next five years, the city is responsible for $4,000 per camera ($52,000 total). Footage will be kept for a minimum of 90 days, and some videos will be saved longer depending on if it contains evidence or will be needed in a case.

Over the last couple of years, St. Cloud, Waite Park, and Sauk Rapids have added body cameras to its police force.

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