COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine has announced that $5 million in grant funding is available to help law enforcement agencies in Ohio invest in body camera equipment and other related expenses.
The Ohio Body-Worn Camera Grant Program is designed to help local law enforcement pay for camera equipment, video storage, public record management personnel, and more.
The Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Office of Criminal Justice Services is currently accepting applications for the second round of the grant. The first round of funding was awarded in January, with more than $4.7 million distributed to 109 law enforcement agencies across the state.
“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 DeWine in a statement. "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."
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
Proposals must be submitted to the state by 5 p.m. on September 8, 2022.
DeWine created the Body-Worn Camera Grant Program in 2021. In November, he rolled out a plan for all Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers to utilize body-worn cameras.
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