CLEVELAND — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has announced that the state will award almost $5 million to dozens of local law enforcement agencies to help pay for body camera programs.
According to a release from DeWine's office, a total of 112 law enforcement agencies in Ohio will receive grant funding as part of the Ohio Body-Worn Camera Grant Program. Of those agencies, 44 will use funding to create new body-worn camera programs and 68 agencies will dedicate funding toward expanding or upgrading existing technology.
"Body cameras are an essential tool for policing, and the funds we're awarding today will help agencies purchase around 1,660 new body cameras and associated technology," said DeWine in a statement. "Body cameras are important not only for providing transparency to the public but also for adding an extra layer of protection for our officers."
Here is the list of the departments across the state (including many in Northeast Ohio) that will be receiving grant funding as part of the Ohio Body-Worn Camera Grant Program.
Friday's announcement from DeWine marked the second round of funding awarded as part of the Ohio Body-Worn Camera Grant Program. The first round of grants, announced in January, provided funding to help 109 local law enforcement agencies purchase around 1,700 body cameras and related equipment.
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