(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) is now accepting applications for the second round of the Ohio Body-Worn Camera Grant Program. The program assists local law enforcement agencies with costs related to camera equipment, video storage, public record management personnel, and more.
“Law enforcement agencies are increasingly using body-worn cameras to serve a multitude of functions, but for some agencies, the price tag is simply far too expensive,” said Governor DeWine. “Our goal is to help as many local agencies as possible with the costs to improve current body-worn camera technology or launch new programs.”
Governor DeWine created the Body-Worn Camera Grant Program in 2021 after working with the Ohio General Assembly to secure funding for the program in the operating budget. In January, Governor DeWine announced the first round of grant funding, awarding more than $4.7 million to 109 local law enforcement agencies.
The Ohio Body-Worn Camera Grant Program is part of Governor DeWine’s ongoing efforts to assist Ohio’s law enforcement agencies with technology needs. In response to a directive from the Governor, the Ohio State Highway Patrol began outfitting troopers across the state with body-worn cameras last year.
Today’s announcement builds on several initiatives already underway as part of Governor DeWine’s commitment to the safety of Ohio’s communities. 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 Body-Worn Camera 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.
Additional Grant Information:
Applicants must submit proposals online through the Online Grants Management System by 5 p.m. EST on September 8, 2022.
A bidders training webinar for the Ohio Body-Worn Camera Grant Program will be held on August 10, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. The training is not mandatory but will provide helpful information on both the application preparation and review process. To register for the webinar, visit gotowebinar.com.
Grant funds can be used to purchase the following:
- Body-worn cameras (dashboard cameras are excluded) and related hardware and software for officers who regularly interact with the public
- Video storage mechanisms such as servers or cloud service
- Redacting software/service
- Editing/tagging software
- IT costs to support the program
- Consultant fees for camera programming and storage setup
- Maintenance and support fees
- Contract/consultant for programming/installation, training, technical assistance
- Personnel costs
For additional details, visit the OCJS website at: http://www.ocjs.ohio.gov/
