El Centro, California – The Bureau of Justice Assistance, part of U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs (OJP), awarded Imperial County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO) with the Body-Worn Camera Pilot Implementation Program grant in the amount of $74,770. OJP guidelines and requirements were a competitive and stringent process. OJP received 285 application submissions. California was awarded with six (6) grants; ICSO was one of the awarded recipients.

Deputy Sheriff Rene McNish and Administrative Analyst Laura Bowen of ICSO were the key contributors of compiling the body-worn camera (BWC) information and responsible with submitting the grant application. A few of the competitive grant categories for the implementation of the BWC program included a plan in creating a policy and procedures, training and technical assistance, maintenance, agency collaboration, and data and evidence collection.

The Sheriff’s Office, Imperial County Board of Supervisors, District Attorney’s Office, Deputy Sheriff’s Association and other entities that were among the supporters of the grant application process are part of the collaborative efforts and success in receiving the grant to uphold the transparency and strengthen accountability with law enforcement and the public.