Minnesota law enforcement believe body cameras are worth the cost

Police chiefs association head says most are in favor of the technology for accountability and trust
Police body cam
Police body cameras are popular but expensive Photo credit Getty Images

A recent poll by the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association shows about half of the state's local police departments are equipped with body cameras.

The reason some haven't gone that route is the cost.

The price tag for one camera is about $1,000, according to association executive director Jeff Potts.

But there's more to pay for to integrate the system to any police department.

"You have to pay for the storage of the data," he told Mike Max on the WCCO Morning News. "If you get a data request you have to do some redaction, so you have to purchase some redaction software."

It all adds up.

"It's probably $4,000-5,000 per camera," he said.

Potts says body cameras help hold police officers accountable, creates more transparency, and builds trust within the community.

Which is why, he said, the majority of people in law enforcement are supportive in the use of the visual technology.

"Body cameras can help build trust and transparency," Potts said. "It's one way to actually show people what happened."

Featured Image Photo Credit: Getty Images