(COLUMBUS, Ohio)— Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced today 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) today opened the application period for the third round of the Ohio Body-Worn Camera Grant Program. Governor DeWine launched the program in 2021 to assist local law enforcement agencies with costs related to camera equipment, video storage, editing software, public record management, maintenance, and more.
To date, nearly $10 million has been awarded to more than 200 local agencies as part of the program.
“Body cameras act as an impartial eye on the interactions between law enforcement and the public, so they’re incredibly important for transparency,” said Governor DeWine. “This program is for any local law enforcement agency that doesn’t already have a body-worn camera program or needs support to enhance and maintain its existing technology.”
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A webinar for the Ohio Body-Worn Camera Grant Program will be held by OCJS on Sept. 13 from 10-11:30 a.m. The training webinar is not mandatory but will provide helpful information on both application preparation and the review process. Applicants must submit proposals online through the Online Grants Management System by 5 p.m. on Oct. 2.
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The Ohio Body-Worn Camera Grant Program is funded with support of the Ohio General Assembly through the operating budget and is part of Governor DeWine’s ongoing efforts to assist Ohio’s law enforcement agencies in protecting the public.
Since taking office in 2019, Governor DeWine has launched Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center, Ohio School Safety Center, Ohio Office of Law Enforcement Recruitment, Ohio Office of First Responder Wellness, Ohio Prisoner Extradition Reimbursement Program, Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program, Ohio Ballistics Testing Initiative, Ohio Crime Lab Efficiency Program, Ohio First Responder Recruitment, Retention, and Resilience Program, Ohio Court Backlog Reduction Program, and the new eWarrant database.
For additional details, visit the OCJS website at:Â http://www.ocjs.ohio.gov/.
