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BJA Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program (more than 25 officers)

BJAGrants for Body Cameras for LEOs with more than 25 Officers

$15,000,000 available for body-worn camera programs and policies

The FY2015 Body Worn Camera (BWC) Policy and Implementation Program will support the implementation, including the purchase, deployment, maintenance, data storage, and policy development of a body-worn camera program, and the necessary policies for law enforcement agencies. The program will play a critical role in the creation, implementation, and evaluation of problem solving approaches that incorporate body-worn cameras (BWCs) into officer practice in selected jurisdictions.

What this grant does for your agency

Law enforcement agencies across the country and worldwide are using body-worn cameras (BWC) as a promising tool to improve law enforcement interactions with the public. BWCs can provide a visual and audio record of interactions. Some preliminary evidence indicates that the presence of BWCs helps strengthen accountability and transparency, and can assist in deescalating conflicts, resulting in more constructive encounters between the police and members of the community. This competitive solicitation is for law enforcement agencies with more than 25 sworn law enforcement officers seeking to establish or enhance BWC Policy and Implementation Programs (PIP). Successful applicants will be responsible for a mandatory 50 percent in-kind or cash match.

The FY 2016 BWC PIP will support the implementation of body-worn camera programs in law
enforcement agencies across the country. The intent of the program is to help agencies develop, implement, and evaluate a BWC program as one tool in a law enforcement agency’s
comprehensive problem-solving approach to enhance officer interactions with the public and build community trust.

Successful applicants will develop and implement policies and practices required for effective program adoption, and will address program factors including the purchase, deployment, maintenance of camera systems and equipment; data storage and access; and privacy considerations. BJA expects the BWC programs to make a positive impact on the quality of policing in these jurisdictions and to inform national efforts to improve the use of BWCs more broadly. While BWC equipment may be purchased under this program, successful applicants must demonstrate a commitment and adherence to a strong BWC policy framework, including comprehensive policy adoption and requisite training.

Agencies awarded the BJA Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program receive funds to purchase body-worn cameras and implement programs and policies relevant to department usage of the body cameras.

Estimated Total Program Funding: $15,000,000. Award Ceiling: $1,000,000. Only a limited number of grants will be awarded. The current expected number of awards is 25.

Grant Eligibility

Eligible applicants for this announcement are limited to agencies with more than 25 sworn law enforcement officers who are applying for 25 or more cameras.

For full eligibility details, see the Grant Guidelines:

  • State governments
  • County governments
  • Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
  • City or township governments
  • Eligible applicants are limited to public agencies of state government, units of local government, and federally recognized Indian tribal governments that perform law enforcement functions (as determined by the Secretary of the Interior); or any department, agency, or instrumentality of the foregoing that performs criminal justice functions (including combinations of the preceding, one of which is designated as the primary applicant).

About the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)

BJA’s mission is to provide leadership and services in grant administration and criminal justice policy development to support local, state, and tribal justice strategies to achieve safer communities. BJA supports programs and initiatives in the areas of law enforcement, justice information sharing, countering terrorism, managing offenders, combating drug crime and abuse, adjudication, advancing tribal justice, crime prevention, protecting vulnerable populations, and capacity building. More

Grant Deadline

Grant applications are due no later than 11:59 p.m. EST, Wed., Apr. 27, 2016.

Apply

Funding Opportunity Number: BJA-2016-9199. CFDA Number: 16.835 — Body Worn Camera Policy and Implementation. Apply for the BJA Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program