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<br />WS – Item 4 <br /> <br />WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />Work Session Item <br /> <br /> <br />Date: December 4, 2017 <br /> <br />To: City Council <br /> <br />From: John Swenson, Public Safety Director <br /> <br />Re: Police Body Worn Cameras (BWC) <br /> <br /> <br />Background <br /> <br />The Police Division personnel have researched and tested camera systems that would be <br />worn by officers while responding to calls for service, during police initiated interactions, <br />and other relevant interactions with members of the public. This tool will enable police <br />personnel to record police interactions with members of the public to: <br /> further enhance the documenting of these interactions; <br /> use the video footage for investigative purposes; <br /> assist with any decisions related to prosecution; <br /> assist with court proceedings; and <br /> provide a resource in the handling of any civil litigation. <br /> <br />During the 2016 Minnesota Legislative session, statute 626.8473 was adopted and <br />requires that law enforcement agencies provide an opportunity for public comment <br />related to police BWC implementation. This legislation also requires law enforcement <br />agencies to have a written policy governing the use of police BWC. Attached to this staff <br />report is MN Statute 628.8473 and the Lino Lakes Public Safety Department draft policy. <br /> <br />As required by MN Statute 628.8473, the attached draft policy was posted on the Public <br />Safety Department’s website seeking public comment from November 1, 2017 to <br />November 30, 2017. Members of the public were requested to make any public comment <br />via email; no comments were received. <br /> <br />During the regular Council Meeting on December 11, 2017, staff is requesting that a <br />public hearing be conducted regarding the attached draft policy. This will provide <br />members of the community yet another opportunity to bring forward any comments they <br />may have on this policy. The public hearing is also a requirement of MN Statute <br />628.843. <br /> <br />At the conclusion of the public hearing on December 11, 2017, all requirements outlined <br />in MN Statute 628.843 will have been met. <br /> <br />Staff has engaged in an extensive research process on BWC systems, conducted product <br />demos, as well as site visits to police departments that are currently using the BWC