Presentation of a grant award from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, in the amount of $400,000 for a Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation program for the Independence Police Department for the project period of October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2026. (This addresses Item 3.1.G, Update Public Safety Technology Systems, of the 2023 City of Independence Action Plan and Requested by Councilmember McCandless).

The Independence Police Department submitted a grant application to the Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, in April 2023 for the Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program to Support Law Enforcement Agencies.  The department was notified the week of September 24, 2023, that the application was selected for a grant award in the amount of $400,000.  Upon acceptance of the grant award, the Police Department will be able to implement a body-worn camera policy and program in which 200 body-worn cameras (BWCs) and data storage equipment will be purchased and deployed to Independence Police Officers. 

The funding will also go toward the addition of three staff members that will be critical for the implementation and ongoing oversight of the program.  This includes an Electronics Fleet Technician, a Digital Media & Community Affairs Officer, and an IT System Administrator.  Program activities will include working with the Office of Justice Programs' TTA provider to create and adopt a BWC policy that will address state laws, privacy rights, and the release of video to the public. In addition, the Police Department will establish Training Protocols on BWC use and policy, seek Community Engagement throughout the grant program, and ensure that evidence-based and problem-solving approaches are used while integrating the BWC technology into the department's operational framework. 

This grant will require a local match of $499,564 which will be covered with an appropriation from the Use Tax Fund Balance.  The grant period will run from October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2026.  The grant award must be accepted within 45 days from the grant award date of September 25, 2023.  

The fiscal impact to the City is $899,564 to be spent over a three year period.  The acceptance of this federal grant award will provide $400,000 toward the implementation of this body-worn camera program.  A local match in the amount of $499,564 will be required.  The Police Department is requesting appropriations of $400,000 in the Grant Fund (Fund 015 - Org 4550 for Police) for the grant award and $499,564 from the Use Tax Fund Balance (Fund 018) to cover the required local match.