The Detroit Lakes Police Department was among 134 Minnesota law enforcement agencies that received in-car cameras as a result of $2.9 million in federal funds administered by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) Office of Traffic Safety.
The DLPD received four cameras. The agency previously did not have any in-car cameras among their fleet. In addition, the DLPD has ordered three more to have an in-car camera in the entire fleet of market patrol cars. The money to cover the additional three cameras will come from another technology grant and the DWI Vehicle Forfeiture Fund.
In all, 620 in-car cameras were distributed to agencies that applied for the technology tool. Of the awarded agencies, 42 percent had no previous dash-cams among their fleet. All of the agencies have begun or completed installation. The Minnesota Sheriff's Association is coordinating distribution of the cameras.
DPS Commissioner Michael Campion said that the goal of the cameras is to provide a way to improve officer safety and enhance the public trust by preserving objective, factual representations of officer-citizen interactions. Cameras also provide non-disputable evidentiary information.
The digital cameras streamline content output to a DVD. An in-squad camera costs an average of $4,775.90.
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"In-car cameras are a valuable law enforcement technology, and we are grateful to be able to equip our agency with this tool," Sgt. Tim Eggebraaten said.
The cameras are intended for vehicles used by officers whose primary responsibility is patrolling public roads and interacting with the public; special unit vehicles such as canine or traffic units; and vehicles used by supervisors responsible for supervising the officers.
