Police Body Cameras Are Here To Stay in Duluth

Duluth Police started wearing body cameras last year and the video has aided in criminal investigations and prosecutions and also they've been used to exonerate and discipline officers accused of misconduct. 

Even though it sounds a great idea and a wonderful aid for officers, there are always side effects. Some public agencies are struggling with concerns about high storage and maintenance costs, and also uncertainty about privacy and public access to video.

According to an article from the Duluth News Tribune,  Lt. Laura Marquadt of the DPD said "I think body cameras are here to stay. I don’t think there’s any turning back now… The public demands it and there’s great uses for it. The negative is that it’s just so costly." With about 120 cameras in use, Duluth’s officers have collected more than 100,000 videos last year and technology to store and access data doesn't come cheap.

With every positive, there always comes a negative. I do think police having body cams on them does more good then bad. Yes, it costs a lot but I think it's way with it in the end. There will always be evidence no matter what and that is why I feel they should be here to stay. Let me know in the comments what you think of Police having body cams and do you think they should stay?