2018.11.27 WS - Laserfiche WebLink

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NEW BRIGHTON DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY Memorandum To: City Manager Mayor Council Members Public Safety Commissioners From: Tony Paetznick, Director of Public Safety Subject: Police Body Worn Cameras (BWC) Date: November 19, 2018 At its Work Session on September 26, 2017, the City Council heard of the progress accomplished by the Public Safety Commission related to that advisory group’s nearly yearlong study of a police Body Worn Camera (BWC) program, an item that had been referred to the Commission for evaluation by Council in October 2016. At the time last year, the Public Safety Commission was next scheduled to review public comments related to a draft BWC policy, which it did at its November 2017 meeting. Following adoption of the 2018 municipal budget, Public Safety staff was prepared for the next steps of implementing BWCs during the first quarter of this year, but it became apparent that additional resources from the City’s Information Technology (IT) staff would be needed to accomplish the effort, hence the project paused. From a technological standpoint, Public Safety and City IT staff had continued their scheduled progress with the initial implementation of a video evidence server to initially store in-squad camera systems data, which became operational in January 2018. This video evidence collection would also house BWC data. As Council is aware, the IT department soon experienced turnover and restructuring in 2018. Given the significant technological expertise required with video evidence storage, Public Safety opted to hire an outside consultant to finalize the transition to the new in-squad camera system and its connection to the new server in May 2018. With new and additional resources now in-place, Public Safety and IT staff believe that both organizations are in a position to consider implementing BWCs. Financially, the Public Safety non-fleet capital budget allocated $47,300 for replacement of existing in- squad camera systems, however, DWI forfeiture funds were utilized instead for that purchase allowing the cash balance to be used toward obtaining police body worn cameras. Pursuant to Minnesota State Statute 626.8473, the governing body with jurisdiction over the budget of the law enforcement agency must provide an opportunity for public comment at a regularly-scheduled meeting. With approval from the City Council, Public Safety anticipates this occurring in early January 2019 and that the recommend Police Body Worn Camera (BWC) program could be implemented by the end of the first quarter of next year. Staff will review the work of the Public Safety Commission on the topic of Police Body Worn Cameras during the presentation at the November 27th Work Session.