Winona City Council Conducts Hearing on Police Body Cameras

Winona Police Chief Tom Williams

WINONA, Minn. (KWNO)-The City of Winona took a step toward equipping police officers with body cameras Monday night.  

The cameras were the topic of a public hearing during the city council meeting. Police Chief Tom Williams says the cameras are a popular idea within the department and with the unions that represent officers.  

Williams said officers feel the cameras add a layer of safety and protection. 

“It adds transparency to the police department and to the job that we do and allows the public to see just exactly what it is we deal with on a daily basis,” Williams told councilmembers. “They felt it was a level of protection too. To help protect them against possible frivolous lawsuits or citizen complaints where maybe there was a misunderstanding or something. It’s on video the audio was there.”  

Councilmembers asked Williams if the city would have to hire more personnel to manage the data collected by the cameras.  

“We’re kind of looking at using our support staff as it stands right now and probably the administrative staff,” said Williams. The chief also said the PD would delegate parts of managing body camera evidence to relief sergeants.  

Money for the cameras is included in the city’s budget for this year. The agenda item did not ask for any action on the part of the council.  

No members of the public spoke during the hearing.  Williams encouraged residents to share their thoughts on a body-worn camera program by contacting the police department.