The independence police department (IPD) proposes to implement the BWC project, purchasing 200 bwcs and equipping 200 uniformed officers in frontline public safety functions

The City of Independence, Missouri received a $400,000 Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program (CFDA 16.835) grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Assistance, effective October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2026. The grant funding will enable the Independence Police Department to purchase and deploy 200 body-worn cameras for its frontline public safety officers. The project aims to establish a comprehensive body-worn camera program as a critical tool to enhance community trust, communication, and transparency between the police and the community. Key activities include policy development, officer training, digital evidence management system enhancements, and ongoing community engagement to ensure evidence-based and problem-solving approaches to integrating body-worn camera technology into the department's operations.

The purpose is to establish a comprehensive BWC program, a critical tool to be integrated as part of the city of independences holistic problem-solving and community-engagement strategy, helping to increase trust and communication between the IPD and the communities served. The IPD proposes a deliberate and phased plan to deploy BWC technology and will use the program to enhance the IPD mission and commitment to community policing. The city is a satellite of kansas city, missouri (kcmo) and is missouris fifth largest city. Independence has one of the highest U.S. Crime rates compared to all communities of all sizes, per neighborhood scouts analysis of FBI reported crime data, with a crime rate of 41 per 1,000 residents. More than 91 percent of missouri communities have a lower crime rate than independence. Working with the TTA provider, the IPD will meet the seven objectives and provide the required category 1 application deliverables. Project activities include: (1) purchasing 200 bwcs within 90 days of the grant award, including data storage equipment. (2) training, including a robust and frequent training schedule and manual, to include the jackson county prosecutors office when relevant. (3) formal adoption of a BWC policy by the second quarter of the grant period, to include all relevant components of an evidence-based policy. (4) enhancement of adjudication, leveraging BWC footage and DEM to help inform and improve adjudication. (5) community engagement throughout the grant period, with quarterly community listening sessions planned and several existing entities including the committee of concerned citizens, to be utilized in rollout. Additional activities include securing the matching funds ($499,564) through requests from area foundations and utilizing the citys 2.25 percent use tax and the recently passed 3 percent sales tax collected on recreational marijuana purchases with funds allocated for the needs of the police, fire, dispatch, and emergency preparedness departments. Expected outcomes include the development of a BWC team, three new staff positions, and deliberate implementation of the program, ensuring evidence-based and problem-solving approaches while integrating the BWC technology within ipds operational framework. This will enhance mutual trust between officers and the community and promote organizational efficiency. City residents, guests, and IPD officers are the intended beneficiaries of the project.