The Department of Justice is set to allocate over $7.5 million in funding to rural and tribal law enforcement agencies in an effort to provide more officers with body cameras.
The $7.65 million grant is designated for law enforcement agencies with 50 or fewer full-time personnel. The funding is aimed at enhancing “protection for both officers and the citizens,” according to a DOJ readout released on Wednesday.
DOJ TO REQUIRE BODY CAMERAS FOR FEDERAL POLICE
Agencies that receive funding from the program may only use it to purchase body cameras or utilize it to support new or existing body-worn camera programs and implementations.
“The Justice Department is committed to providing law enforcement with valuable resources to increase accountability and build trust with the communities they serve,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said, according to the readout.
Applying for the program is made expedient for rural and tribal departments via an online application portal, acting Director Kristen Mahoney of the Bureau of Justice Assistance said.
“The grant solicitation today will help law enforcement agencies and their communities improve evidentiary outcomes and enhance the safety of, and improve interactions between, officers and the public,” Mahoney added.
The grant was established in partnership with Justice & Security Strategies Inc., through a cooperative agreement to roll out the program, according to the DOJ.
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Eligible agencies must apply for the program by Aug. 31.
