WINONA, Minn. (KTTC) – The Winona Police Department announced Thursday it would not replace the city’s Flock cameras after they were presumably stolen earlier in the month.
Winona Police Chief Tom Williams says while they aren’t replacing the cameras, the investigation into what happened to them is still ongoing.
The full statement from the police department can be seen below
Flock cameras have been an effective and impactful resource for law enforcement. They have helped solve crimes, prevent harm, and protect individuals who have been victimized. Since their implementation, the Winona Police Department has utilized Flock cameras in locating a homicide suspect, locating individuals in crisis, and solving numerous cases involving hit-and-runs, stolen vehicles, and other offenses.
Our department’s use of Flock has been guided by clear policies, appropriate training, and ongoing oversight. As with all of our law enforcement practices, our use of Flock is grounded in accountability, complies with state law, and is subject to applicable statutory audits. Importantly, we have had no instances of misuse.
At the end of the day, however, our community’s trust is the foundation of effective policing, and we’ve worked hard to build and maintain that trust.
While Flock has been a valuable tool, we believe its use has contributed to growing concerns about trust in policing, both locally and across the state and nation. After careful consideration, Winona PD has decided not to reinstall any Flock cameras in the City of Winona.
Our commitment is simple: protecting our community while maintaining the trust that makes that work possible.
Technology will continue to evolve, and with those advancements will come both opportunities and challenges. It will be important for law enforcement agencies, in partnership with the communities they serve, to have meaningful dialogue when it comes to future developments and decision making. We believe that starts with trust and we will continue to do our best to earn and preserve that.
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