The Richardson City Council gave approval last week for the Richardson Police Department (RPD) to apply for a grant from the Criminal Justice Division of the Governor’s office for the purchase of body worn cameras and also approved the required City budget funding needed if the grant is awarded.
The $137,256 grant would help cover the initial cost of body worn cameras for 110 of the RPD’s first responder officers as well as the necessary video storage and accessories. The use of body worn cameras in law enforcement has been proven repeatedly to be an effective tool at de-escalating confrontations and reducing complaints against officers. Additionally, the cameras offer documentation of police/public encounters and serve as an important device in collecting evidence.
The RPD plans to deploy the body worn cameras beginning in the fourth quarter of this year.
