Outfit Law Enforcement Agencies with Body-Worn Cameras
Funding Opportunity Number: BJA-2019-15087
CFDA Number(s): 16.835
Grant Deadline: June 5, 2019
Improve evidence capture and improved justice outcomes
Agencies (BWCPIP-LEA) directly supports key priorities of the Department of Justice by promoting the safety of law enforcement officers and citizens by strengthening the means for evidence capture and by contributing to improved justice outcomes. Both formal research publication and testimonials by law enforcement executives have shown that BWCs, when properly implemented, contribute myriad benefits to law enforcement organizations, their personnel, and the communities they serve.
What this grant does for your agency
BWC use can have a moderating effect on citizens’ behavior; has been shown to reduce use-offorce incidents and citizen complaints; and can help strengthen mutual respect and civility in citizenpolice interactions. Digital footage from BWCs can provide critical visual and audio records of interactions. The benefits of BWCs can be optimized when properly implemented as part of a deliberate program of carefully thought-out policies and practices in coordination with broader agency missions, including officer safety, accountability, increased disparity, training, and efficiency.
Program funds under this solicitation are intended specifically for agencies seeking to establish or expand comprehensive BWC programs with a specified plan to implement this technology in a manner that maximizes the benefits of BWCs. As part of their submission, applicants must describe a deliberate and phased plan to deploy this technology, as well as specific ways it will be used to enhance the applicant agency’s mission. Applicants that are seeking only to fund the purchase of BWCs without consideration of the broader program goals discussed below will not be considered for funding.
Agencies awarded the FY 2019 Body-Worn Camera (BWC) Policy and Implementation Grant receive funds toward establishing and outfitting body-worn camera (BWC) programs.
The following are the categories under which applicants to the FY 2019 Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program to Support Law Enforcement Agencies (BWCPIP-LEA) may apply:
CATEGORY 1: IMPLEMENTATION OR EXPANSION OF BWC PROGRAMS FOR SMALL and MID-SIZED AGENCIES. Competition ID: BJA-2019-15304
This funding category seeks to establish new or expand existing BWC programs in small and mid-sized law enforcement agencies with 250 or fewer sworn officers. Agencies may invite subrecipient agencies to be included in their proposals. If they do, the combined number of sworn officers across all agencies should be used to determine the category of funding.
Funding Range: Applicants may request no more than $500,000 under this category. Federal funds for individual agency applicants will also be capped using the $2,000 per BWC Funding Metric.
CATEGORY 2: IMPLEMENTATION OR EXPANSION OF BWC PROGRAMS FOR LARGE AGENCIES. Competition ID: BJA-2019-15305
This funding category seeks to establish new or expand existing BWC programs in large
police agencies with more than 250 and up to 1,000 sworn officers. Agencies may invite
subrecipient agencies to be included in their proposals. If they do, the combined number
of sworn officers across all agencies should be used to determine the category of funding.
Funding Range: Applicants may request no more than $2,000,000 under this category. Federal funds for individual agency applicants will also be capped using the $2,000 per BWC Funding Metric.
CATEGORY 3: IMPLEMENTATION OR EXPANSION OF BWC PROGRAMS FOR EXTRALARGE AGENCIES. Competition ID: BJA-2019-15306
This funding category seeks to establish new or expand existing BWC programs in extra-large police agencies with more than 1,000 sworn officers. Agencies may invite subrecipient agencies to be included in their proposals. If they do, the combined number of sworn officers across all agencies should be used to determine the category of funding.
Funding Range: Applicants may request no more than $3,000,000 under this category. Federal funds for individual agency applicants will also be capped using the $2,000 per BWC Funding Metric.
CATEGORY 4: IMPLEMENTATION OR EXPANSION OF BWC PROGRAMS THROUGH STATE OR REGIONAL CONSORTIA. Competition ID: BJA-2019-15307
This funding category seeks to leverage economies of scale by enabling a single organization to apply on behalf of component agencies in order to leverage partnerships, collaboration, and joint-acquisition strategies to establish new or expand existing BWC programs. Category 4 is reserved for programs where multiple agencies would work together to carry out BWCPIP implementation under an established consortium representing a group of law enforcement agencies. Eligible applicants under this category include state agencies (e.g., state police, State Administering Agencies (SAAs)), regional law enforcement authorities, or major city or county agencies, acting on behalf of a joint partnership or consortium.
Funding Range: There is a maximum allowable request of $3,000,000 for this category and a minimum request of $200,000. Federal funds for individual agency applicants will also be capped using the $2,000 Funding Metric described in the subsection immediately below.
Only a limited number of grants will be awarded.
Grant Eligibility
For full eligibility details, see the Grant Guidelines:
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 entities).
About the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)
BJA helps to make American communities safer by strengthening the nation’s criminal justice system: Its grants, training and technical assistance, and policy development services provide state, local, and tribal governments with the cutting edge tools and best practices they need to reduce violent and drug-related crime, support law enforcement, and combat victimization. More
Grant Deadline
Grant applications are due no later than 11:59 p.m. EST, June 5, 2019.
Apply
Apply for the FY 2019 Body-Worn Camera (BWC) Policy and Implementation Grant