Crystal Approves Additional Police Body Cams

Crystal will soon join the growing number of cities that require its police officers to wear body cameras. Tuesday night, the Crystal City Council approved the purchase of 16 new police body cameras at a total cost of $25,000.

The department launched a pilot program last year that started with nine cameras. They’ll now have 25 cameras, which is enough to equip all patrol officers and supervisors in the department.

Crystal police say the cameras will improve police accountability and transparency, and help with evidence gathering.

“Our officers are required to actually have the camera on for every contact that they have, unless of course it’s a medical situation we do not have to have the camera on,” said Crystal Police Chief Stephanie Revering. “But any other contact, they’re supposed to have the camera activated for evidence purposes.”

The public will have one more opportunity to provide feedback on the body camera policy in the coming months. The department plans to have the program fully operational by July 1.