Title
An Ordinance accepting a grant award in the amount of $254,455.00 from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, for a Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program. (F&BC 11/11/19)
Body
Issue/Request:
• The U.S. Department of Justice’s Body Worn Camera Policy and Implementation program (BWC PIP) provides funding to law enforcement agencies to help develop, implement, and assess their Body Worn Camera program.
• The Lee’s Summit Police Department applied for grant funding from the BWC PIP on behalf of the City to obtain funding to implement a Body Worn Camera program to outfit 140 police officers.
• The City was notified on September 19, 2019 of approval of the grant application and award for funding under the FY 19 Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program in the amount of $254,455.00.
• The City has reviewed the award and special conditions and seeks to accept the award through execution of the award documents by the Mayor.
Proposed Council Motion:
FIRST READING: I move for second reading of an Ordinance accepting a grant award in the amount of $254,455.00 from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, for a Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program.
SECOND READING: I move for adoption of an Ordinance accepting a grant award in the amount of $254,455.00 from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, for a Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program.
Background:
Law enforcement agencies across the United States and throughout the world are using body-worn cameras (BWCs) as a promising tool to improve evidentiary outcomes, and enhance the safety of, and improve interactions between, both officers and the public. BWCs can provide critical visual and audio records of interactions. A growing body of research findings indicate that the presence of BWCs can reduce the use of force by assisting in the de-escalation of conflicts. Research also suggests that BWCs can have a moderating effect on citizens and can help strengthen accountability and transparency in citizen-police interactions.
This grant award will be used in conjunction with funding from the 2019 No Tax Increase Bond Election. The grant award will cover a portion of the BWC hardware cost. This particular grant application was completed prior to the 2019 No Tax Increase Bond Election.
Impact/Analysis:
The goals of the Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program are to:
1. Build community trust and relationships
2. Improve transparency and accountability
3. Improve officer safety and training
4. Provide legally compliant digital multimedia evidence to augment case development and adjudication
5. Enhance quality and reliability of use of force and internal investigations
Timeline: Project Period
Start: 10/01/2019
Finish: 9/30/2022
Presenter
Travis Forbes, Police Chief
John Boenker, Deputy Police Chief
Recommendation
Recommendation: Staff recommends approval
Committee Recommendation
At the November 11, 2019 Finance and Budget Committee a motion was made by Councilmember Forte, seconded by Vice Chair Lopez, that this Ordinance be recommended for approval to the City Council. The motion carried unanimously.