The memphis police department (MPD) seeks funding through the BJA FY23 body-worn camera policy and implementation program to support law enforcement agencies

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) awarded a $2,000,000 Project Grant under the FY23 Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program (CFDA 16.835) to the City of Memphis, Tennessee. The funding will support the Memphis Police Department's (MPD) initiative to equip 2,200 sworn officers with body-worn cameras (BWCs) and establish a comprehensive BWC program. The project aims to enhance transparency and accountability in policing by developing policies and procedures for BWC activation, video management, privacy protections, officer training, and community outreach. Additionally, MPD will work with BJA to strengthen its BWC program in areas such as investigating in-custody deaths, recruiting diverse officers, reporting use of force data, improving community relations, and promoting officer wellness. This project will help MPD strengthen its commitment to constitutional policing and build stronger relationships with the communities it serves.

Mpds proposed project aims to equip 2,200 sworn officers with bwcs and establish a comprehensive BWC program to enhance transparency and accountability in policing. The program will include policies and procedures for BWC activation, video management, privacy protections, officer training, and community outreach. The project will also establish performance measures to assess the impact of the BWC program on officer behavior, citizen complaints, and public trust. Mpds project will help strengthen the department's commitment to constitutional policing and build stronger relationships with the communities IT serves. Additionally, MPD will seek TTA from BJA to strengthen its policies, procedures, and practices regarding utilization of its BWC program in the furtherance of priority areas of focus, to include the following: investigations of deaths of individuals while in custody, recruiting and retaining diverse and service-oriented law enforcement professionals, collecting and reporting use of force and misconduct data, improving community and law enforcement dialogue, responding to individuals in mental health crisis or with disabilities, the proper and responsible use of technology, restrictions on unannounced entries and certain restraints, addressing implicit bias, restricting the use of militarized equipment, broader criminal justice reform, and officer wellness and mental health.