Sartell Police Taking Public Comment on Body Camera Program

(KNSI) – The Sartell Police Department is asking for public input as it prepares to arm officers with body cameras.

Deputy Chief Wayne Schreiner says Minnesota statute requires departments to take public comment on their policy before they get body cameras. “When using new technology, we’ll probably see some things that don’t work so well, or this works better. That’ll be changed as needed, but if people want to review that policy and if they have anything to say they can email, they can give us a letter, or give us a phone call and we’ll take those comments.”

He says the footage wouldn’t be available to the general public and would only be released in special circumstances. The department has been looking at adding body cameras for a couple of years and will present its plan to the city council in January. Schreiner says their officers are excited to get the cameras because it will increase transparency and safety. “We understand that a lot of times people are filming us, and we’re used to that with squad video systems. Not everything can be captured right in front of the squad camera so having a body camera on an officer, I think, is going to make it a little bit safer for the public and the officers.”

The department is looking at getting 37 cameras, 22 for its full-time officers and 15 for part-time officers and volunteers. Once approved, it will take three to six months to get the equipment in.

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