City Awarded Federal Grant for Police Body Cameras

The city launched a pilot program for the body-worn cameras this past spring but needed additional funding to fully implement it

All of Providence, Rhode Island's, uniformed police officers will soon be outfitted with body cameras after the city secured a $375,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. 

The award, announced Monday, is part of a $20 million disbursement from the Justice Department's Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program to law enforcement agencies nationwide. 

Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare says the cost of the program, including electronic data storage, will run between $300,000 and $400,000 annually. Providence has made an initial commitment for two years. 

The city launched a pilot program for the body-worn cameras this past spring but needed additional funding to fully implement it. 

Pare says 225 officers will be provided the equipment, which is being purchased from TASER International. Detectives will not be equipped with the cameras.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us