Fairmont Police Department Body Worn Video Camera Program

Fairmont Police Body Camera Program

Below is the outline of the Body Worn Camera (BWC) program for the Fairmont Police Department. The program and policy were developed in adherence to Minnesota Statutes 626.8473 and 13.825. A link to the copy of the final policy is also below. Please feel free to contact Chief Hunter if you have any questions about the Fairmont Police Body Camera Program. Fairmont Police Body Worn Camera Policy 422.

 

  1. During mid-2016: The Fairmont Police Department began the budget process for the 2017 Capital Expenditures. During this process, the Department asked the City to designate funds in the 2017 budget to purchase body worn video cameras.
  2. August 1, 2016: Minnesota State Statutes 626.8473 and 13.825 took effect after having been passed by the Minnesota State Legislature. These two statutes outline requirements for Minnesota law enforcement agencies who are looking to implement a body worn camera program.
  3. December 2016: The Fairmont City Council voted to approve the proposed 2017 budget which included funds designated for the body worn video camera program for the Fairmont Police Department.
  4. Spring of 2017: Research began regarding the development of required BWC policy as well as meeting associated requirements of 626.8473 and 13.825. Also research was being conducted as to the various Body Worn Camera brands and required data storage and software options.
  5. Summer of 2017: Fairmont Police selected the WatchGuard Vista Body Worn Camera as the potential BWC for the Fairmont Police Department. The Fairmont Police Department and the Martin County Sheriff’s Office both currently use the WatchGuard In-Squad Camera system in our marked patrol cars. The Vista BWC will pair up with our current squad car cameras.
  6. Summer of 2017: Review of current data storage capabilities for adding body cameras data to current In-Squad Camera server that is shared with Martin County Sherriff’s Office. (Second meeting on January 10, 2018 determined that additional archive storage and data backup system for the current server should be added as part of the 2019 budget process.)
  7. September 25, 2017: Announced at the Fairmont City Council meeting that we would begin taking public comments on the use of body worn cameras by the Fairmont Police Department including the opportunity for public comment and input to occur at the regularly scheduled City Council meeting on October 9, 2017 at 1730 hours. Public comment and input was accepted from September 25, 2017 through October 20, 2017. The public was given the opportunity to provide input via mail, email, phone calls, in person to the Chief, Mayor, or City Council Members. The public could also provide input via a 10 question survey online. The results were presented to the City Council during the regular scheduled City Council meeting on October 23, 2017 at 1730 hours. Information was posted Fairmont Police website at www.fairmontpolice.org.
  8. October 23 2017: Presented draft of Body Worn Camera policy, Fairmont Police 3.39. Opened up opportunity for public comment and input that evening via mail, email, phone calls, and in person to the Chief, Mayor, or City Council members until November 14, 2017. A copy of the draft policy was provided to the Mayor and City Council and then posted on the Fairmont Police Department website www.fairmontpolice.org. The public was advised they could provide public input and comment on the Body Worn Camera policy draft during the regular scheduled City Council meeting on November 13, 2017 at 1730 hours.
  9. November 13, 2017: Opportunity for public comment and input on the Body Worn Camera policy draft during the regular scheduled Fairmont City Council meeting at 1730 hours.
  10. December of 2017: Final draft of Fairmont Police Body Worn Camera Policy 3.39 was completed.
  11. December of 2017: Final quote for the purchase of eight WatchGuard Vista Body Cameras and accessories was received from WatchGuard and was within budget. Quote was accepted by Fairmont Police Department.
  12. January 2, 2018: Body Cameras were ordered and a check issued to WatchGuard for the order of eight Body Worn Cameras and accessories.
  13. March 2018: Anticipated arrival and installation of Body Worn Cameras and software.
  14. April 2018: Anticipated 30 day trial program used by officers on the street. Two week evaluation process of use, storage, software, and other variables with relation to practice and policy.
  15. May 2018: Final Body Worn Camera program to be implemented in for use in Fairmont.
  16. Link to original Fairmont Police Body Worn Camera Policy 3.39 signed January 2, 2018.
    1. Link to current/updated Portable Audio/Video Recorder Policy 422, March 20, 2023.
  17. June 2018: Select FPD Officers conduct a 30 day trial run of the Body Worn Cameras.
  18. August 2018: All FPD Officers received Body Worn Camera training and begin using them.