Homestead Police Department Body-Worn Camera Program

The Homestead Police Department began a Law Enforcement Body Worn Camera program in Januarly, 2021. The Body Worn Camera program was implemented as an integral component in the ongoing transformation of the Homestead Police Department to a departmental wide community policing model. The body worn cameras provide both law enforcement and the community the ability to record interactions between both the community and the officers through the recording of the interaction. The practice of utilizing technology to improve police accountability and legitimacy in the community and providing an evidentiary tool in the prosecution of subjects, proves to be beneficial to all.

The City is in the process of rolling out the Body Camera program and police officers are currently utilizing body-worn cameras.  The total cost of this program is $1.5 million dollars over five years. This does not include the cost of purchasing and training additional officers on an annual basis. This cost adds and additional $205,000.00 over the five-year period. The City of Homestead is requesting assistance with the cost of this program for year 3 and 4 of the 5 year program, at a Federal cost of $695,110.00.  The City of Homestead will have invested $965,362.64 over the five-year period, about 56% of the total cost. This is a large undertaking for a small City, and if awarded funding, Homestead Police Department would be able to continue the program and expand the use of body cameras as the police force increases in numbers.