COLUMBUS – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine recently announced that $5 million in grant funding is available to help local law enforcement agencies invest in body camera equipment and pay for associated expenses.
The Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) is now accepting applications for the second round of the Ohio Body-Worn Camera Grant Program. The program assists local law enforcement agencies with costs related to camera equipment, video storage, public record management personnel, and more.
“Law enforcement agencies are increasingly using body-worn cameras to serve a multitude of functions, but for some agencies, the price tag is simply far too expensive,” said Governor DeWine. “Our goal is to help as many local agencies as possible with the costs to improve current body-worn camera technology or launch new programs.”
The governor created the Body-Worn Camera Grant Program in 2021 after working with the Ohio General Assembly to secure funding for the program in the operating budget.
In January, DeWine announced the first round of grant funding, awarding more than $4.7 million to 109 local law enforcement agencies. Two local law enforcement agencies — the Bellefontaine Police Department and Logan County Sheriff’s Office — were among those grant recipients.
Through the initiative, the Bellefontaine Police Department is slated to receive $79,650.60, and the Logan County Sheriff’s Office will receive $46,206. Both agencies will begin new and comprehensive body-worn camera programs in their respective departments, as previously detailed in the Examiner.
The Ohio Body-Worn Camera Grant Program is part of Governor DeWine’s ongoing efforts to assist Ohio’s law enforcement agencies with technology needs.
In response to a directive from the Governor, the Ohio State Highway Patrol began outfitting troopers across the state with body-worn cameras last year.
Applicants must submit proposals online through the Online Grants Management System by 5 p.m. EST Sept. 8.
A bidders training webinar for the Ohio Body-Worn Camera Grant Program will be held on Aug. 10, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. The training is not mandatory, but will provide helpful information on both the application preparation and review process. To register for the webinar, visit gotowebinar.com.
For additional details, visit the OCJS website at: http://www.ocjs.ohio.gov/