Fergus Falls, Minn. (KBRF) – The Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office has announced they will be implementing body cameras for licensed deputies and corrections officers by 2024.
The office stated the decision is supported by funds from the Public Safety Aid Program, approved in the 2023 Minnesota legislative session.
The forward-facing devices attach to the officer’s uniform and, the office states, have been shown to reduce civilian complaints, enhance accountability, increase transparency, and decrease civil liability.
A community input public hearing is scheduled during the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners meeting on December 12, 2023.
There is also and online Body Cam Poll the office is encouraging residents to take.
Otter Tail County Sheriff Barry Fitzgibbons highlighted that the sheriff’s office already utilizes squad car-mounted cameras in marked vehicles.
He also stated the video data is subject to Minnesota’s data privacy rules, with most body camera video data not considered public and only accessible in specific circumstances.
The Wilkin County Sheriff’s Office also recently began exploring the possibility of implementing a Body-Worn Camera program.
In 2018, Fergus Falls Chief of Public Safety Kile Bergren wrote in a statement: “We do not use body cams. We don’t have any intent to use them any time soon.”
Otter Tail County Chief Deputy Reed Reinbold can be contacted for questions or comments at rreinbold@ottertailcounty.gov or by phone at 218-998-8530.
Written correspondence can be directed to the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office, Attn: Chief Deputy Reinbold, 417 S Court St, Fergus Falls, MN 56537.
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