The Lafayette Police's Body Worn Camera Project & Mental Health Program at the Tippecanoe County Jail

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) allows states and units of local government, 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 program 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 Lafayette Police Department will use their portion of award funds to purchase 33 body-worn audio/video recording devices. These devices will provide patrol officers the capability to capture valuable information during on-foot pursuit, use of force and officer involved shooting situations in real time. The Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Office will use their portion of the award to pay salary costs for a Mental Health Professional at the county’s correctional facility. The responsibilities of this position entail providing mental health assessments and evaluations of detainees referred by the facility’s staff and/or those identified during prescreening.

NCA/NCF