Criminal Justice System Improvement Project

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) allows states and units of local governments, including tribes, to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own state and local needs and conditions. Grant funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice, including for any one or more of the following purpose areas: 1) law enforcement programs; 2) prosecution and court programs; 3) prevention and education programs; 4) corrections and community corrections programs; 5) drug treatment and enforcement programs; 6) planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs; and 7) crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation).

The county of Stafford will use JAG funds to purchase equipment for the sheriff's office. Specifically, funds will be used to purchase six in-car video system digital cameras that will be installed in patrol vehicles. These video records are invaluable and used for evidence in court proceedings, investigations for internal affairs complaints, suspect conversations, recordings of interviews, evaluating driving behavior and determining the causes of accidents, and can be used to identify suspects if the officer is ever injured or killed during an incident. The cameras also contain a GPS to mark locations.

NCA/NCF