Minnetonka Police Adopt Advanced Body Camera Technology to Enhance Officer and Public Safety
By Jennifer Mayerle
July 24, 2025 | CBS Minnesota
Minnetonka, MN — In a move aimed at bolstering safety for both law enforcement officers and the community, the Minnetonka Police Department has introduced cutting-edge body camera technology that provides real-time insight into police interactions and critical incidents.
Automatic Activation and Live Streaming Capabilities
Every Minnetonka police officer is now equipped with new body cameras that automatically activate during high-stakes situations. The cameras switch on when an officer draws their service weapon, deploys a taser, or turns on squad lights—a feature designed to eliminate the risk of human error in stressful moments.
Beyond simple recording, these body cameras provide live streaming capabilities, allowing department leaders and support teams to monitor unfolding scenes as they happen. Deputy Chief Jason Tait emphasized the importance of this innovation, sharing an example from mid-April when a man made threats at UnitedHealth’s Minnetonka campus. Thanks to the new system, department leaders could watch the body camera footage live and gain an immediate and precise understanding of the incident as it unfolded.
Coordinated Technology Enhances Situational Awareness
The body cameras operate in concert with squad car dash cams within a 30-foot Bluetooth radius. This technology ensures that when an officer engages their weapon or emergency lights, all recording devices in the vicinity simultaneously begin recording and streaming footage to the police department’s command center.
Garith Scherck, the department’s Crime Analysis Supervisor, monitors the feeds and visualizes ongoing calls and the locations of officers and vehicles on an integrated screen. Scherck clarifies that he intervenes only during critical incidents, using the system to verify officer status and assess what additional resources or services may be required on the scene.
Supporting Smarter Decisions Under Pressure
Deputy Chief Tait highlighted that the automatic activation feature reduces distractions for officers during tense situations, allowing them to focus on critical decision-making with fewer worries about technology management. The ability for command staff to view live footage provides a “direct line” to what the officer is experiencing, helping dispatch the right support swiftly and increasing the likelihood of safe, effective outcomes.
“The situational awareness this gives us is invaluable. Leaders can be miles away but still see what’s happening and communicate with officers on scene if necessary,” Tait explained. He noted that social workers and other specialists may also engage remotely, helping to de-escalate situations and facilitate quicker resolutions.
Additional Features Support Community Engagement
The new body cameras are equipped with translation capabilities supporting over 50 languages. This enables officers to communicate promptly and clearly with community members who speak different languages, enhancing public trust and engagement.
Additionally, Minnetonka police are currently uploading the department’s entire policy manual onto the body cameras. This makes department protocols easily accessible to officers while in the field, ensuring they have guidance at their fingertips whenever questions arise.
A Leap Forward in Policing Technology
Deputy Chief Tait called the deployment of these smart cameras “a huge technological leap” for the Minnetonka Police Department, one that aligns with their goal of fostering the safest possible outcomes for officers and the public alike.
“We are putting a lot of effort and innovation into equipping our officers with the tools they need to make the best decisions. This technology increases transparency, aids de-escalation, and provides the community with reassurance that we are committed to safety,” Tait said.
As police departments nationwide navigate the challenges of modern law enforcement, Minnetonka’s embrace of advanced body camera technology serves as an example of how innovation can strengthen public safety while supporting officers in the demanding duties they face every day.
Jennifer Mayerle is a Senior Investigative Reporter at CBS Minnesota. She has received Emmy and Edward R. Murrow awards for her work and has been with WCCO since 2014.
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