The exeter police department does not have body-worn cameras

The Town of Exeter Fire Department in Exeter, New Hampshire will receive a $232,000 Project Grant award from the Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Assistance under the Congressionally Recommended Awards program (CFDA #16.753) to implement a body-worn camera program for police officers. Funding will support equipment purchases, installation, software licenses, secure data storage access, and technical support necessary for an effective transparency program. As a small town of 16,000 people, Exeter lacks funds for this important accountability and community engagement initiative. This award will allow the police department to create program policies and procedures to educate and train officers utilizing body cameras to serve both law enforcement and residents in a meaningful and transparent manner.

Across the nation, there is a drastic need for police officers to have such cameras to promote increased accountability and transparency to the communities they serve while officiating their duties. More than ever, body-worn cameras have proven to be an invaluable asset to both the police that utilize them and the public they devotedly serve. A $232,000 grant would fund equipment purchases and installation, software licenses, access to secure data storage, and around-the-clock technical support. All of which are necessary for an effective, respectful, and transparent body-worn camera program. No funds are available to the exeter police department to implement a body-worn camera program, so IT's asking for assistance. A request of $232,000 from the exeter general budget would create a devastating tax burden that the town would likely be unable to support since they are a small new england town of 16,000 people. The town of exeter's police department expects this program to support both the officers and residents of exeter in a meaningful and transparent way. They will create program policies and procedures which support, educate, and train all officers and staff utilizing body-worn cameras.