Massachusetts Law Enforcement Body-Worn Camera Grant
Status: Funding awarded, extra funding may be available upon request
GrantChamps Rating
This grant provides funding annually to MA police departments which is very consistent but doesn't fund everything needed for a modern body camera program like cloud storage.
Grant Announcement Date
April 3rd, 2024
Grant Application Deadline
April 29th, 2024
Total Funding Being Awarded
$3,800,000
Max. Funding Per Department
$250,000
Funding Release Date
May 2024
Eligible Applicants
Only a police department from a Massachusetts municipality (local unit of government) is eligible to apply. Municipal police departments with less than 50 sworn officers may collaborate in order to submit a joint application for funding under this grant.
Type of Projects Funded
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Strictly hardware for BWCs and servers (if applicable)
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*staffing and setup costs will not be funded through this grant.
GrantChamps Summary
Useful tips for applying and winning funding
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Program Overview:
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Title: Law Enforcement Body-Worn Camera Program.
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Funding Available: Approximately $3,800,000.
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Application Deadline: April 29, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.
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Performance Period: July 2024 – June 30, 2025.
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Eligibility:
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Open to Massachusetts municipal police departments.
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Agencies with fewer than 50 officers can apply jointly but must designate a lead agency.
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Applicants must provide a Body-Worn Camera (BWC) Wear Policy and evidence of collective bargaining efforts.
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Purpose:
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To improve public safety, enhance community-police relations, increase accountability, provide evidence for legal processes, and serve as a training tool.
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Application Requirements:
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Departments must submit a comprehensive deployment plan for BWCs, addressing procurement, privacy protections, footage access and retention, training, reporting, and sustainability.
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Funding Specifics:
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No single award may exceed $250,000.
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Funding covers the costs for body-worn cameras and on-premises servers for video storage but does not cover administrative or replacement costs.
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Program Requirements:
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Applicants must have up-to-date training records with the Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC).
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Notification to the local District Attorney’s office about BWC program plans is required.
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Applicants must assume responsibility for operational expenses outside the grant’s scope.
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Allowable Costs:
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Funds may be used for purchasing body-worn cameras and necessary accessories, as well as servers for video storage. Operational and administrative costs are not covered by the grant.
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Procurement and Budgeting:
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Purchases must comply with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30B.
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Detailed budget submission is required, including costs for equipment and technology related to the BWC program.
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Submission Process:
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Applications must be submitted both online and via hard copy by the deadline.
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The application includes a narrative template focusing on needs assessment, project description, and implementation plan.
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Review and Awards:
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The grant is competitive, with applications evaluated on completeness, need, project description, implementation plan, and budget detail.
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Funding decisions are made by the Executive Director of the Office of Grants and Research and the Secretary of Public Safety and Security, based on peer review recommendations and funding availability.
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