MSP BWC Program

The Michigan State Police (MSP) is applying for the 2021 Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program to Support Law Enforcement Agencies (BWCPIP-LEA) grant in the amount of $2,000,000.  The 2021 BWCPIP-LEA funds will allow for the fulfillment of the initiatives outlined below, each serving a critical role in the implementation of body-worn cameras and policies within the MSP.

Significant improvements to expand our comprehensive body-worn camera (BWC) program will be made possible through grant funding.  The expanded program will improve several initiatives to support and enhance the transparency of the department, increase officer safety, improve citizen protection, progress the collection of evidence, and increase the adjudication of cases.  The MSP intends to purchase 1,500 BWCs, as well as purchase supporting equipment to enable a full department deployment.

Grant dollars will fund several positions within the MSP Information Technology Division (ITD) and the MSP Records Resource Section (RSS).  The Departmental Analyst 12 within the ITD will be funded to support the technology associated with the implementation of the BWCs.  This will include deploying the cameras, tracking licenses, troubleshooting software and hardware issues, user account management, working with the vendor to update software, working with local prosecutors, training users, and creating manuals.  The Lieutenant 14 position and the Trooper position will be funded to congruently support the Mobile Office Unit with the roll-out and implementation of the BWC project.  Tasks include program administration, research to evaluate equipment and storage, maintain a working relationship with all districts and divisions, strategic direction, and budgeting.   The five Departmental Analyst positions will be supporting the RSS.  The analyst positions will be responsible for handling freedom of information requests and reviewing and redacting videos.  With the influx of video footage when BWC’s are fully deployed, the five analysts will support the work associated with the BWC implementation project.

The MSP remains diligent in pursuing opportunities for improvement of BWC policies.  The 2021 BWCPIP-LEA grant offers crucial funding to make the expansion of our BWC program successful.