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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Council Worksession <br />September 26, 2017 <br />5:00 pm <br /> <br />Present: Mayor Valerie Johnson <br />Councilmember Brian Strub <br /> Councilmember Paul Jacobsen <br />Councilmember Mary Burg <br />Absent: Councilmember Gina Bauman <br /> <br />Staff in Attendance: Dean Lotter, Tony Paetznick <br /> <br />Guests in Attendance: Jeff Holam and Stephanie Malone <br /> <br />Police Body Worn Cameras <br />Lotter stated the Public Safety Commission (PSC) has been addressing the issue of body worn cameras and the <br />City thanks them for their input. He explained Paetznick would be providing the Council with a presentation <br />on body worn cameras. <br /> <br />Paetznick indicated he was very proud of the work completed by the PSC and stated body worn cameras have <br />been discussed for the past two years. He noted the New Brighton Public Safety Department first began <br />discussing 21st century policing in May of 2015. He described how body worn cameras were in alignment <br />with this type of policing and discussed the perceived benefits for police officers as well as departments. He <br />reported how body worn cameras have evolved over the past several years along with data retention practices. <br /> <br />Paetznick explained the PSC has been evaluating body worn camera technologies throughout the summer and <br />would visit this again in November. He commented on the statutory requirements for a written policy for body <br />worn cameras. Further discussion ensued regarding data classification practices and data retention periods. He <br />described how the PSC and the Public Safety Department has engaged the public to weigh in on thi s issue. He <br />thanked the public for providing their feedback. <br /> <br />Paetznick commented on the internal survey that was conducted within the New Brighton Public Safety <br />Department, along with academic surveys he reviewed in order to better understand how body w orn cameras <br />impact police officers. He was pleased to report that an overwhelming 87% of the public respondents <br />supported body worn cameras. He provided further comment on the positive survey results with the City <br />Council and was proud of the fact New Brighton residents were pleased with the Police Department. He noted <br />the public did not believe body worn cameras would reduce crime levels. He stated officers were concerned <br />about their level of discretion but did not believe the cameras would limit their activity. Further comment <br />ensued regarding the percentage of agencies that have body worn cameras. <br /> <br />Councilmember Burg stated even if the officers’ view they have less discretion they still have discretion. <br /> <br />Paetznick discussed the expense to retain data from body worn cameras. He described how body worn <br />cameras would be used to collect evidence on behalf of the department. He commented on the dialogue he has <br />had with the PSC and his staff regarding the body worn camera model policy. It was his recomme ndation that <br />Option 2 be followed for recording instances. He discussed a potential implementation time table and