The Department of Justice announced last May that it would fund a national pilot program for law enforcement body cameras, a plan first put forth by President Obama. On Monday, the DoJ made good on that promise by awarding $23 million in grants to 32 states for the purchase of these devices. Of that total, $19.3 million will go towards actually purchasing the necessary 50, 000 cameras, another $2 million is earmarked for training and the remaining $1.9 million will be used to conduct impact studies in Miami, Milwaukee and Phoenix. “This vital pilot program is designed to assist local jurisdictions that are interested in exploring and expanding the use of body-worn cameras in order to enhance transparency, accountability and credibility, ” US Attorney General Loretta Lynch said in a statement. “The impact of body-worn cameras touches on a range of outcomes that build upon efforts to mend the fabric of trust, respect and common purpose that all communities need to thrive.” Source: Department of Justice

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DoJ shells out $23 million for the President’s body camera pilot program