15PBJA23GK04088BWCX

Abstract

The world of policing and the use of body-worn cameras (BWCs) has changed since the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) began its BWC program in 2015. The first seven years of the BWC program were focused on providing funds for cameras, storage, and related equipment. But in the last two years BJA has recognized that the BWC program has to move forward and expand.

While its solicitations still allow for the purchase of BWCs for law enforcement and state corrections agencies, new avenues of funding were created for managing digital evidence, improving training through the use of video footage, and funding for prosecutors for demonstration projects. These shifts mean that TTA must also pivot to meet the emerging needs of new grantees and to look to the future in terms of how footage can be used to improve policing and the criminal justice system.

The basic TTA model that was created in 2015 must be transformed to support the new paradigm. An invigorated framework for TTA is needed to bring fresh ideas to the BWC program while supporting the fundamental needs of grantees.

Justice & Security Strategies, Inc. (JSS), Michigan State University (JSS), Justice & Health Analytics (JHA), and researchers, data scientists and practitioners propose new ways to engage in TTA for agencies funded through BJA's grant program. The consortium recognizes that basic support is needed for grantees who are in the early stages of BWC implementation and will provide that guidance. Policy building, webinars, newsletters, working group sessions, and easy-to-digest research summaries will be delivered.

More importantly, however, the consortium is positioned to assist BJA and grantees in looking to the future. The JSS team has experts in digital evidence management (DEM) and artificial intelligence (AI) and has research-practitioners who have know-how to ingest BWC footage into training on de-escalation, procedural justice, and police legitimacy. The JSS indirect rate of 10% and its insistence that its partners keep their rates lower than usual are the difference makers in doing more for the BWCPIP TTA program.

The consortium will follow four principles as it works collaboratively with BJA and criminal justice agencies: 1) focus on the customer, 2) make things easy-to-use, 3) leverage technology, and 4) use data to guide decisions and for forecasting. Through these principles the team will provide direct TTA to grantees and provide data-driven and research-based TTA to BJA, funded agencies, and stakeholders interested in BWCs across the country.

Justice And Security Strategies

THIS PROGRAM SEEKS APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDING TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL (TTA) SERVICES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES FUNDED THROUGH THE BODY-WORN CAMERA POLICY AND IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM TO SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. TTA INCLUDES ASSISTANCE TO GRANTEE IN DEVELOPMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE AND DELIBERATE BWC POLICIES, AS WELL AS ASSISTANCE IN OTHER ASPECTS OF BWC IMPLEMENTATION REQUESTED BY GRANTEES, SUCH AS COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND DIGITAL EVIDENCE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES. THIS PROGRAM FURTHERS THE DOJ'S MISSION BY PROMOTING THE SAFE AND FAIR ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.

16.835 - Body Worn Camera Policy and Implementation

Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) [DOJ - OJP]

Silver Spring, Maryland 20906 United States

Single Zip Code

BJA FY 23 Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program Training and Technical Assistance (O-BJA-2023-171561)

Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been extended from 09/30/26 to 09/30/27 and the total obligations have increased 106% from $3,000,000 to $6,180,000.