The final public listening session on the use of police body cameras before their planned rollout next year in Minneapolis is scheduled for Saturday.
The Police Conduct Oversight Commission will listen to residents who want to share their opinions on when cameras should be turned off and on, restrictions on camera use, viewing of recordings and other policy issues that Minneapolis police say have been a large part of internal discussions around the emerging technology.
After requests from the media, Minneapolis police released a redacted report this week that detailed the results of the first four months of its body camera pilot in which cameras from Taser International were tested. Later, cameras from another company, Vievu, were also used.
"Body cameras can provide MPD an opportunity to actualize transparency and accountability," the report said. "With strong policy, training, internal controls and a commitment to improve customer service, this new form of citizen interaction may provide the leverage to recover public trust."
Over a few months of Taser body camera testing, officers recorded 4,933 videos and snapped 2,367 digital photos.
The goal was "to test what guidelines work, those that do not or rules which need improvement."
Officers did not record their entire shift and used their own discretion in deciding when to turn the cameras on or off.
The officers were not required to tell residents that they were being recorded, though many did notify people and found that it moderated their behavior.
