Report Recommendation 3.2

The Saint Paul Police Department recognizes that technology can improve the delivery of police services and contribute to increased public safety and livability. Technology will be used to augment, and not replace, efforts already in place to prevent crime in the City of Saint Paul. The department implements new technology according to detailed federal and state protections for individual information and privacy and with a view to the needs and concerns of all communities.

Specially-trained personnel monitor live video feeds which assist with responding to in-progress crimes and documenting ongoing suspicious activity. These cameras can be monitored by the general public at several viewing locations in the city and are available upon public requests. 

St. Paul police are watching you..but in a good way
Star Tribune | Oct. 2, 2017

The Saint Paul Police Department has portable video equipment that can be deployed at special events, in areas experiencing specific crime concerns as requested by community groups or as otherwise authorized by the chief or his designee. 

The Saint Paul Police Department forensic services unit (FSU) performs unbiased forensic analysis that is accurate, precise, reliable, and timely and intended to serve the public need of solving crime, identifying perpetrators and exonerating the innocent. 

The Saint Paul Police Department uses Geographic Information System (GIS) software that allows the department to produce and analyze crime statistics and create maps organized by designated areas for all reported crimes. The department makes this information available to the public. 

On January 1, 2018, every Saint Paul police officer was required to wear and use a body worn camera as prescribed by policy.  The policy directing them when to activate, was largely developed through interaction with the community.  More than 1300 people weighed in on difficult topics while balancing privacy with transparency.  The department publishes reports explaining how the cameras are being used, challenges with the program and shares performance metrics.   

The Saint Paul Police Department was fortunate to have the high-level of engagement from the community while developing the body worn camera program and associated policies.

The Saint Paul Police Department is committed to listening to our community and employees and providing more ways for all to share their questions, concerns, ideas and energy. To facilitate this exchange of ideas and information, the department is constantly examining the most effective methods to encourage feedback from those who receive our service that is directly connected to technology. The department uses this input to live up to our vision of excellence. 

In 2017, the department launched its community feedback survey.  Please take our survey

The Saint Paul Police Department has facilitated numerous stakeholder meetings with community members, held question and answer sessions during community events, and formed an advisory group representing multiple disciplines and ranks from inside the department for the purpose of formulating and adopting the new policies associated with the 2017 body worn camera program and the 2018 use-of-force (Response to Resistance and Aggression) model.

It is the policy of the Saint Paul Police Department to furnish appropriate aids and services whenever necessary to ensure effective communication with persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf/blind, have hearing loss and/or for whom English is a second language. 

In 2018, this policy was rewritten and co-produced with the community after the department was alerted that the original policy contained outdated and insensitive terminology. 

The Saint Paul Police Department knows the value of being accessible and transparent by increasing access to our department through translation services.

In 2018, the department published a new policy co-produced with the community directing employees on how to interact and serve those who do not communicate through the spoken English language without challenges.  the previous policy was not considerate of all forms of limitations and contained outdated terminology. 

After almost two years of seeking community input, research and training, the Saint Paul Police Department finalized its policy and launched a body worn camera program in September 2017. The program is designed to promote transparency and accountability, enhance officer and public safety, collect evidence for use in criminal investigations and prosecutions, enhance officers’ ability to document their actions and the actions of others, deter criminal activity, provide information that can be used for officer training, aid in the collection of evidence, assist in reviewing complaints.  

Body Worn Camera Policy