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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016 11-23 Maplewood cops sue over city's policy on body cameras PIONEER PRESS MainPage 1 of 2 Maplewood cops sue over city’s policy on body cameras > Body cameras Union says provisions should have been collectively bargained Associated Press Police in Maplewood are going to court over the city’s body camera policy for officers. The unions representing 38 officers and eight sergeants say parts of the policy should have been developed through collective bargaining instead of being imposed by the city. The law approved last spring by the Minnesota Legislature requires police departments using the body cameras to adopt written policies governing when the devices should be activated and how the video should be managed. Some officers are worried about too much exposure about the people they encounter, sometimes in private dwellings or during moments of vulnerability. CONTINUED FROM 1A Minnesota Public Radio News reported that the lawsuit filed by Maplewood police objects to random audits of camera footage by supervisors. And they want input on a provision that prohibits officers from reviewing footage before giving a statement following a critical incident that results in severe harm or death. “The union has demanded on a couple of occasions to bargain these two specific provisions with the city and the city has refused to do that to date,” said Minneapolis attorney Timothy Louris, who is representing unions in the lawsuit filed in Ramsey County District Court. “The bottom line is that these types of working conditions have to be bargained,” he added. “They can’t be unilaterally created and implemented by cities.” On Tuesday, Maplewood Police Chief Paul Schnell said that management has the right to establish policy on use of the cameras. “I understand the positions the unions take, but we don’t believe it’s negotiable,” Schnell said. “We have to ensure that the policies we have reflect the interest of the community as well as the people who do the work.” The chief said union members were part of the discussion on implementing the new policy. “There are provisions in this policy that were changed as a result of those conservations,” he said. A handful of officers are wearing the cameras now and the rest will have them by January, Schnell said. http://saintpaulpioneerpress.mn.newsmemory.com/ee/_nmum/_default_bb_include_infra...11/23/2016 MainPage 2 of 2 “I understand the positions the unions take, but we don’t believe it’s negotiable. We have to ensure that the policies we have reflect the interest of the community as well as the people who do the work.” Maplewood Police Chief Paul Schnell Wednesday, 11/23/2016 Pag.A01Copyright © 2016, St. Paul Pioneer Press. Please review new arbitration language here. 11/23/2016 http://saintpaulpioneerpress.mn.newsmemory.com/ee/_nmum/_default_bb_include_infra...11/23/2016