Police body cameras face Mpls. hurdles

A test group of 36 Minneapolis police officers will start wearing body cameras later this fall. But full implementation has been slower than expected as administrators try to address some officer concerns about the program.

John Delmonico, president of the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis, says one concern officers have is that the camera faces only one direction.

"If the body cam faces out, which it does, and it covers about a 120-degree angle in front of you, what if something happens to your side, what if something hapepns behind you and you turn around and you take action and it's not on camera, what will the allegations be?" he said.

Officers are also concerned about who will have access to the image.

Delmonico says he believes body cameras will help officers more than hurt them by protecting them from false allegations of misconduct. But he wants to ensure it's done correctly the first time around.

MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Delmonico. Click on the audio link above to hear the conversation.