Minnetonka Police Adopt Advanced Body Camera Technology to Enhance Safety for Officers and Community
By Jennifer Mayerle, Senior Investigative Reporter
July 24, 2025 — CBS Minnesota
In an innovative move to bolster public safety and officer security, the Minnetonka Police Department has deployed cutting-edge body camera technology that automatically activates during critical incidents and offers real-time video streaming to command personnel. This new system represents a significant advancement in law enforcement tools designed to improve situational awareness and decision-making during emergencies.
Automatic Activation in Critical Moments
Every Minnetonka police officer is now equipped with upgraded body cameras that automatically turn on when certain actions occur—such as drawing a service weapon, deploying a taser, or activating squad car lights. The technology uses a Bluetooth signal to simultaneously switch on all body and dash cameras within a 30-foot radius, ensuring comprehensive coverage of unfolding events.
Deputy Chief Jason Tait emphasizes the benefit of this automated feature: “With how quickly things happen out on the street, anything that we can do to make the officer’s life a little easier allows them to focus their brain power under stress in areas where it’s needed most.” By eliminating the need for manual activation during high-pressure situations, the system helps officers concentrate on resolving incidents effectively and safely.
Live Streaming to Command for Real-Time Oversight
The activated cameras provide a live video feed transmitted directly back to the Minnetonka Police Department’s headquarters. There, Crime Analysis Supervisor Garith Scherck and other command staff monitor ongoing incidents closely.
Scherck explains, “On the screen, we see icons representing current calls, squad vehicle locations, and officers’ body camera feeds. I only tap in during critical incidents to gain a clearer picture of what’s happening on scene.” This live oversight allows supervisors to quickly assess situations and coordinate resources, enhancing response times and safety for all involved.
During a mid-April incident involving a man making threats at the UnitedHealth campus in Minnetonka, the department’s leadership was able to watch body camera footage in real time, gaining immediate insight into the scene’s dynamics.
Enhancing Officer and Community Safety
One of the key advantages of this technology is the improved situational awareness it affords leadership far from the scene, enabling timely communication and support. Deputy Chief Tait remarks, “Having a direct line to what the officer is seeing helps us get the right resources there and ensures our officers remain safe. It also allows for better decision-making, especially in high-stress encounters.”
The integrated system is also designed with community engagement in mind. The body cameras offer real-time translation services in over 50 languages, facilitating clearer communication between police officers and community members who speak diverse languages.
Additionally, the department is uploading its policy manual onto the body cameras, placing critical guidelines literally at officers’ fingertips during calls—a resource that can be crucial in complex situations requiring quick judgment.
A Leap Forward in Law Enforcement Technology
Deputy Chief Tait describes the new body camera system as “a huge technological leap” that supports de-escalation efforts and quicker resolutions to calls. This advancement marks a new era for the Minnetonka Police Department, which is focused on equipping officers with the best tools to make sound decisions that protect both themselves and the public.
“We are putting a lot of effort and innovation into ensuring our officers can achieve the safest possible outcomes for our community,” Tait said.
As law enforcement agencies nationwide seek effective means to improve transparency and safety, Minnetonka’s adoption of this live-streaming, automatically activated body camera technology sets a noteworthy example of how innovation can support modern policing needs.
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