A large sheriffs office that encompasses more than 3,700 square miles of land within its jurisdiction and staffs a county correctional facility that houses approximately 1,000 inmates seeks grant…

The County of Monterey Health Department Division was awarded a $600,000 Project Grant by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Justice Assistance, under the Body Worn Camera Policy and Implementation program (CFDA 16.835). The funding will support the county's sheriff's office in establishing a comprehensive body-worn camera (BWC) program. This includes the acquisition of BWCs and associated data storage solutions, as well as the development of policies, training, and best practices for BWC usage. The grant aims to enhance transparency, safety, and accountability within the sheriff's office, which patrols over 3,700 square miles and operates a county correctional facility. The BWC program is expected to assist with investigations, provide digital evidence for prosecutions, and promote positive community interactions. The project period runs from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2026.

A large sheriffs office that encompasses more than 3,700 square miles of land within its jurisdiction and staffs a county correctional facility that houses approximately 1,000 inmates seeks grant assistance in purchasing bwcs cameras. An intensive BWC program is in the process of being designed and implemented that would provide almost 300 sworn employees with bwcs. They believe that utilizing bwcs will assist in showing agency transparency, enhance safety, deter crimes and inappropriate behavior, and provide training opportunities. The agency also plans on community outreach and stakeholder input when designing policy and implementing procedure regarding bwcs. The agency patrols a multitude of topographies, including agricultural land, coastline, and mountainous regions. Their highways are a thoroughfare for the tourists and seasonal agricultural and hospitality workers that visit each season. They also host several large-scale international events each year. The implementation of a BWC program is expected to make our diverse communities and tourists feel safer and promote accountability and progressiveness within the agency. After developing a policy and procedure for the use of bwcs, they will expect that their deputies utilize the bwcs during all enforcement contacts and during investigations, to capture video evidence and help provide context during these interactions. The agency also believes that bwcs will assist in the corrections bureau by making the deputies and the inmates safer and feel more secure, as well as documenting criminal activity within the facility. They plan on working closely with the other police departments within the county, and with the district attorneys office and local federal agencies, to assist with investigations and provide the digital media evidence for stronger prosecutions. With numerous goals and objectives, they expect a BWC program to show a measured decrease in use of force incidents and citizen complaints, a higher conviction rate of crimes, more effective training, and stronger community outreach and positive citizen interactions.