Body Cameras Debated at MN Chiefs of Police Convention
ST. CLOUD -- The use of body cameras for police officers has been a hot topic with recent incidents of police-involved shootings. The newest debate is whether officers should have access to the video before writing up their reports when deadly force is used.
Big Lake Police Chief Joel Scharf says his officers have been using the cameras since 2015 and he supports giving them access prior to writing up reports. He says things evolve fast in their profession and he wants his officers to have the most accurate information available to them.
Two experts debated the issue at the Minnesota Chiefs of Police convention in St. Cloud.
The argument for viewing the footage stems from evidence suggesting human memory can fail during times of stress. But, the opposing view is that an officer's credibility is at risk during a criminal trial if they used video evidence to help them recall the events.