Dayton sees ‘serious defects’ in current body camera bill

Published 9:59 am Tuesday, May 24, 2016

By Jon Collins

MPR News/90.1 FM

Legislation that would create statewide guidelines to govern police use of body cameras has passed both bodies of the state Legislature and is on the way to Gov. Mark Dayton’s desk, who says he doesn’t know yet whether he’ll sign the bill.

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Law enforcement agencies have clamored for more guidance on the programs, which agencies have adopted in response to public scrutiny of police use of force. But some critics say the final legislation is biased in favor of law enforcement.

The final incarnation of the bill makes public all footage that involves discharge of an officer’s weapon or the use of force by an officer that results in “substantial bodily harm.” All other footage is classified as private, although the subject of the footage can request the data themselves and release it.

Sen. Ron Latz, DFL-St. Louis Park, said he tried to balance the privacy interests of crime victims, witnesses and the general public against the need for more police accountability.

“We tried to find a blend of that which would make default public the data that we felt was of most public significance, substantial use of force by police officers,” Latz said. “For the rest of it, it doesn’t automatically end up on YouTube.”

The bill also sets minimum standards for how long agencies must retain body camera footage. Typical data that doesn’t involve use of force or discharge of a firearm will be retained for at least 90 days. In the more serious incidents that are classified as public, agencies will need to retain the footage for at least one year.

Latz thinks the clarity provide by the legislation will lead to more agencies using body cameras.