Body Worn Cameras
The Proctor Police Department will be implementing body worn cameras for our licensed officers in the fall of 2026. Body worn cameras (BWCs) are relatively small devices that record interactions between community members (citizens, suspects, victims, witnesses, prisoners, etc.) and law enforcement. The devices record audio and video, and are typically worn on the officer’s uniform with a forward-facing viewable area. BWCs are used to document citizen and officer behavior and capture evidence. BWCs have been shown to reduce civilian complaints, enhance public trust and accountability for the public and law enforcement, increase transparency, and reduce civil liability.
MN State Statute 626.8473 requires that any law enforcement agency implementing a BWC program must accept public comment submitted electronically or by mail, and the governing body with jurisdiction over the budget of the law enforcement agency must provide an opportunity for public comment at a regularly scheduled meeting. Linked below is a statement from Chief Matt Riebel regarding the implementation of BWCs and the community survey. The community survey results will be posted once the survey results are collected. Please take the time to review the applicable links.
Any questions or comments regarding the body worn cameras or policy can be directed to Chief Matt Riebel at proctorpolice@proctormn.gov, or in writing to the Proctor Police Department, Attn: Chief Matt Riebel, 100 Pionk Dr, Ste 101, Proctor, MN 55810.
BWC Statement from Chief Riebel– 07/29/2026
Body Worn Camera Survey – Survey opened 7/29/2026
Generally, most BWC video data is “not public” data. The video data is presumptively private and can only be accessible to a person (data subject) that is on the video.
If the video is part of an active criminal investigation, the data may not be public data.
If the video contains several people, permission needs to be granted by all involved people before the data is released. If an involved person does not consent to the release, they can be ‘redacted’ from the video by having their face blurred and their voice distorted.
Any individual or entity whose image or voice is on the video is considered a data subject.
Redaction is the process of concealing the identity of people on the video by blurring their faces and distorting their voices.
- When a peace officer discharges a firearm in the course of duty, except during training or for the purposes of dispatching injured or sick animals.
- When use of force by a peace officer results in substantial bodily harm. When the data subject requests that the video be released to the public. If the video contains people that do not consent to the release or if it contains an undercover police officer, those individuals will be redacted by having their face blurred and voice distorted.
- If a peace officer is disciplined, the related BWC video data is part of the personnel data, which is public.
- If made public by a court order.
Yes, per Minnesota statute (13.82, subd. 15), a law enforcement agency can release nonpublic, private, or confidential video if it will aid in the law enforcement process, promote public safety, or dispel widespread rumor or unrest.
No. The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act limits disclosure of information about certain individuals
- Victims and alleged victims of criminal sexual conduct and sex trafficking;
- Victims of child abuse or neglect;
- Vulnerable adults who are victims of maltreatment;
- Undercover officers;
- Informants;
- When the video is clearly offensive to common sensitivities;
- Victims of and witnesses to crimes, if the victim or witness has requested not to be identified publicly;
- Individuals who called 911, and services subscribers whose lines were used to place a call to the 911 system;
- Mandated reporters;
- Juvenile witnesses, if the nature of the event or activity justifies protecting the identity of the witness;
- Juveniles who are or may be delinquent or engaged in criminal acts. Individuals who make complaints about violations with respect to the use of real property. (Code violations, real- estate ethics violations, tax law violations, etc.);
- Officers and employees who are the subject of a complaint related to the events captured on video.
Per Minnesota statute (13.825, subd. 2(5)(b) a law enforcement agency may redact or withhold access to portions of data that are public when the data is “clearly offensive to common sensibilities.”
Officers will record any police-citizen encounter if there is reason to believe the recording will have evidentiary value or if the encounter may result in use of force. Officers will use their cameras to take recorded statements from victims, witnesses, and suspects. Officers have discretion to record general citizen contacts.
When officers determine that there is not a law enforcement need for recording, they will deactivate their body-worn cameras. In medical emergencies where criminal activity is not suspected, cameras will not be activated.
No, but if someone asks if they are being recorded, officers will tell them if it is safe and practical to do so.
The data is very safe and is subject to very strict rules and regulations set forth by the FBI. The data is encrypted and stored off-site from Proctor Police Department.
The Department will retain all video deemed non-evidentiary for a minimum of 15 days. Video which is deemed to have evidentiary valve will be retained in accordance with the Minnesota General Records Retention Schedule for Minnesota Cities
Officers are expected to activate their body cameras if it is safe and practical to do so. However, it is recognized that officers must also attend to other primary duties and the safety of all concerned, sometimes in circumstances that are tense, uncertain, and rapidly evolving. Any time an officer fails to activate their recorder, they will need to articulate the reason why. An officer that fails to activate their body camera without a justified reason may face discipline.
Yes. Officers can use video to further assist in preparing a police report, giving a statement, or providing testimony in court. An example would be reviewing video of a DUI case would be permissible.
Yes. When an officer activates their body camera, it will capture the previous 1 minute of video, but not audio.
The Proctor Police Department will have 8 for licensed officers. All licensed officers will be issued a body-worn camera
The body camera policy is posted on City of Proctor website on the Public Safety page under MN Post Board Mandated Policies.
The Department is deploying Motorola V700 body-worn cameras. The body-worn cameras are smaller than a cell phone and will be affixed to the officer’s upper chest. The V700 also can be connected/synced with the Department’s current patrol vehicle cameras.
The camera has a 12-hour battery life and recording options from 420p standard definition to 1080p high definition. Data is stored on the camera during the officer’s shift. The video is uploaded, and the camera’s battery is charged at the end of the peace officer’s shift. There will additionally be a charging station in each of the patrol vehicles so officers can charge the camera as needed.