U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced that three New Jersey police agencies were among 75 agencies nationwide to receive federal grant for body-worn camera programs, part of more than $56 million in grants awarded by the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) to enhance state and local law enforcement safety and wellness.
The Pemberton Township Police Department, the N.J. State Park Police and the N.J. Department of Law and Public Safety were awarded grants under OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance Body-Worn Camera Program. Divided into four categories, these awards provide law enforcement agencies with resources to pilot, establish or enhance comprehensive body-worn camera programs. Funding will enable grantees to improve their capacity to gather evidence and protect the safety of law enforcement officers and citizens.
“Body-worn cameras are just one of the technologies available for our state and local law enforcement partners to better protect members of the public and the officers who are out there doing a dangerous job day in and day out,” U.S. Attorney Carpenito said. “Combined with the most up-to-date training, bulletproof vests, and continuing health and safety research, these grants will help our police in their most important job, which is keeping the public safe.”
Pemberton was awarded a grant of $75,000, the N.J. State Park Police was awarded $132,000, and the N.J. Department of Law and Public Safety was awarded $940,278. The grants were announced recently by Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker. OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance and National Institute of Justice awarded the grants to law enforcement departments, local jurisdictions, and training, technical assistance and research organizations throughout the United States. The funds will be used to provide services designed to protect officers and improve overall public safety.
The Office of Justice Programs, led by Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Matt M. Dummermuth, provides federal leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice and assist victims.