As stated in the president's task force on 21ST century policing, "trust between law enforcement agencies and the people they protect and serve is essential in a democracy

The Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Assistance awarded the City of Jefferson, Missouri a $180,000 project grant under the Body Worn Camera Policy and Implementation program (CFDA 16.835). The grant will fund the Jefferson City Police Department's implementation of a comprehensive body-worn camera program through September 2025.

The police department will purchase 90 body-worn cameras to equip all officers who regularly interact with the public. The program aims to improve public service, promote transparency and legitimacy, and build trust within the community. Key activities include stakeholder input sessions, policy and training development, and establishing processes for digital evidence management and review. The program intends to maximize the benefits of body-worn cameras for both citizens and officers.

IT is the key to the stability of our communities, the integrity of our criminal justice system, and the safe and effective delivery of police services." the jefferson city police department (jcpd) recognizes the broad impact of the BWC PIP, the value, and guidance that the program will have in promoting the implementation of bwcs, and the benefit that this partnership will provide in creating a strong relationship with the community. Located in the heart of central missouri, jefferson city is the 17TH largest city in missouri with a population of 42,393 and a metro population of more than 155,000 spread across four counties. Jefferson city, the seat of cole county, is home to the missouri legislature, missouri supreme court, and numerous state departments. With the daily influx of commuters, the estimated daytime population of jefferson city increases to approximately 100,000. Jcpd currently employs a total of 134 personnel; 90 sworn and 44 civilian employees. Additionally, the department provides the joint 911 center for cole county and the JC animal control services for the city of jefferson. To maximize the potential benefit of a BWC program, jcpd will deploy 90 bwcs to equip all officers who regularly interact with the public during enforcement activities or crisis-related events. The department will actively work to improve high-quality public service, promote transparency and the legitimacy of the police department, and promote a sense of fairness within the community. Jcpd will conduct a series of stakeholder meetings with civic groups within the jurisdiction to garner input and feedback. The department has already approached the subject of bwcs in a virtual town hall meeting with the local chapter of the naacp and received unequivocal support. The department will continue to hold stakeholder meetings with local faith-based organizations and civil rights organizations as part of the BWC implementation. The BWC PIP partnership with jcpd will create a new, broad-scale BWC program to improve the management of all digital multimedia evidence, prioritize policies, and training development, and provide an overall 360-degree review process that will best protect citizens from police abuse, protect officers from unnecessary litigation, liability, and loss of public confidence and trust. The department will establish a BWC program that remains technologically current and financially sustainable.