Dayton Says Body Cam Video Should Be 'Carefully Limited'

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — As Minnesota's debate over police body-camera footage revs up, Gov. Mark Dayton said Monday that the data captured "needs to be confined and carefully limited."

But weighing in for the first time, Dayton said he's still searching for middle ground between those who want to lock down the footage and those who think some public access would further policing transparency goals.

He said the images can be helpful for law enforcement and for checking whether officers overstep their authority, but there should be limits.

"You don't want people coming in with cameras for accountability and then making that widely available to the public," Dayton said.

Bills introduced in the House and Senate would make body-cam data available only to police, video subjects and those involved in carrying out cases. Proponents say it protects privacy by sparing people from having intimate or embarrassing moments broadcast widely. Some community groups say the bill goes too far and defeats accountability aspects of body cameras.

Dayton says he plans to consult with public safety officials within his administration before staking out a formal position.

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