The Department of Justice awarded $23 million in grants this week to more than 70 law enforcement agencies across 32 states to expand the use of body cameras.
The body-worn camera pilot program, which was originally announced by the Obama administration in May, includes $19.3 million to purchase the body cameras, $2 million for training and technical assistance, and $1.9 million to examine the impact of their use.
“This vital pilot program is designed to assist local jurisdictions that are interested in exploring and expanding the use of body-worn cameras in order to enhance transparency, accountability and credibility,” Attorney General Loretta Lynch said Monday. “The impact of body-worn cameras touches on a range of outcomes that build upon efforts to mend the fabric of trust, respect and common purpose that all communities need to thrive.”
According to Lynch, the cities and counties receiving the largest awards of $1 million include Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Florida’s Miami-Dade County, Chicago, Detroit and San Antonio. Minneapolis and St. Paul, the two larges cites in Minnesota, also received the $600,000 they were seeking.
Another $2 million will be given to nonprofit research organization CNA to provide training and technical assistance to the agencies, in addition to $1.9 million to support research on the cameras’ impact in Miami, Milwaukee and Phoenix.
The desire to use body cameras on law enforcement agents grew after a series of civilian deaths at the hand of police officers, beginning with the shooting death of black teenager Michael Brown by white police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri, last year.
