Newberg-Dundee Body Cameras Request BWC FY21

The Newberg – Dundee Police Department (NDPD) is requesting funding through the US Department of Justice BWC - PIP.  The NDPD is a full-service law enforcement agency with 35 sworn officers and 8 reservists who provide 24-hour police service to 27,530 citizens. The department is submitting a request to fund 43 body worn cameras. The total cost for this project will be $177,000. This includes the Body Worn Cameras and attendance at the required national conference for two officers. The total grant funded request for this project is $172,000.  The federal request is $86,000.  The city will provide the required 50% match of $86,000.

The City of Newberg is located 23 miles southwest of Portland, Oregon and lies on the main east-west route between Portland and the central Oregon coast. It is the second largest city in Yamhill County. Yamhill County is part of the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan statistical area. The NDPD provides the community with traditional police services.

It is this agency’s obligation to the community to project, plan and implement staffing, programs, technology, equipment, and training necessary to reduce crime, the fear of crime and enhance the livability of the communities. BWCs would help capture video footage evidence during DUI investigations, felony domestic investigations, thefts, and any other criminal matters with verbal interactions between police and the public. We are attempting to bring transparency to the department and BWCs are a big part of that effort.

The NDPD expects implementation of the BWC project to increase department transparency; a reduction in false claims and litigation payouts; assistance in resolving citizen complaints; improved evidence gathering; and encouragement for all parties to maintain a higher standard of behavior during an incident.

To implement the BWC Program, the department will first hold community meetings and meet with community stakeholders to introduce the NDPD plans to implement a BWC project, gauge the acceptance of the project, and to gather information on the public’s expectations. Once this is complete, the department, along with stakeholders will develop policies and procedures for the use of the cameras and digital media evidence. Personnel will then receive training, the cameras will be purchased and deployed, and the department will assess progress.

The NDPD is committed to successful implementation of the BWC PIP. The project is fully supported by the Yamhill County DA. The department has a clear understanding of what it will take to implement a successful BWC PIP and will ensure that the comprehensive approach to community input, policy development, training, implementation, and review described in this proposal is followed.