Supporting Small, Rural, and Tribal Law Enforcement Agency Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program

This project has two major purposes: 1) Create, develop, and administer a micro-grant program that distributes funds for body-worn cameras (BWCs) to small, rural, and tribal agencies, and 2) provide training and technical assistance to those agencies, as well as others who may be interested in implementing a BWC program.

Justice & Security Strategies, Inc. (JSS), Michigan State University (MSU), and Justice & Health Analytics have the experience and capacity to manage and deliver services and products to small, rural, and tribal policing agencies. JSS will serve as the prime on this cooperative agreement.

To accomplish the purposes of the program the JSS team will adhere to these major principles:
1) Emphasize and focus on customer service; 2) Develop tools that are easy to use; 3) Leverage technology; and 4) Use data, experience, and common-sense to assist in decision-making.

This proposal describes how JSS established a robust framework to define, administer, and monitor a micro-grant program. Importantly, it provides an extensive plan for delivering customer-centric technical assistance and training to SRTBWC agencies.

The JSS team proposes to continue to administer its micro-grant program that streamlines the grant application and management processes for these jurisdictions. In 2021, we received over 2,700 inquiries about the grant program and 966 grant applications. We were able to provide funding to 418 agencies of the 966 applications. In February 2023, we received 650 applications with award decisions forthcoming in late spring.

JSS created a website that is user-friendly and a Help Desk for micro-grantees seeking answers about grants administration and/or implementation of their BWC program. To assist agencies with their BWC policies, we created the Policy Wizard, an on-line tool that assists agencies to efficiently and effectively draft a customized BWC policy. Other technical assistance deliverables included: one-page newsletters, 30-minute webinars, and listening sessions with sheriffs’ offices and small police departments. JSS tracks all micro-grantees’ requirements and programmatic milestones through an easy-to-use online portal.

This proposal seeks funding to continue administering the SRTBWC TTA program. The JSS team understands the complexities of implementing the requirements of a BWC TTA program, and the unique challenges for SRT agencies.