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Crime, Law and Justice
Brian Bakst
St. Paul

Minnesota State Patrol, Capitol police to wear bodycams

Officers stand on the steps in front of a large building.
A large Minnesota State Patrol presence at the Minnesota State Capitol on January 6 while a group of Trump supporters gathered there for a protest.
Matt Sepic | MPR News

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Updated: 4 p.m.

The Minnesota State Patrol and officers who police the state’s Capitol will be outfitted with body cameras. Gov. Tim Walz requested funding for them in his budget, with public safety leaders saying they build trust and foster accountability.

A transportation funding package includes about $7.5 million to buy and maintain the cameras for state law enforcement units.

State troopers are part of commercial vehicle enforcement and investigate vehicle crimes. While cameras are now standard for many local police officers, the state has been slower to deploy them to its forces.

The bill including the body camera funding is expected to be brought up for votes later this week.

The legislation also includes money to add nearly two dozen state troopers and a dozen more Capitol security officers to the detail.

Capitol security has been a serious concern over the past year and for a time led to a temporary fence around the building and extra safeguards in nearby state buildings.