The U.S. Department of Justices' Bureau of Justice Assistance, through Justice & Security Strategies, Inc. announced that it will award Swainsboro Police Department a micro-grant for body-worn cameras. This is part of a group of awards being made to 265 small, rural, and tribal law enforcement agencies for body-worn cameras. The announcement provides $7.1 million to agencies including 183 municipal law enforcement agencies, 64 rural Sheriffs' departments and county police agencies, 6 tribes, and 12 other agencies across 44 states. These awards are in addition to the over $10 million that was awarded in 2022 for body-worn cameras to small, rural, and tribal law enforcement agencies.
Chief Ellison said, "This award will make it possible for our agency to upgrade its existing cameras which will provide a higher level of transparency, accountability and safety to the citizens of Swainsboro."
"Body-worn cameras are a vital tool for law enforcement agencies to increase accountability and build trust with the communities they serve," said BJA Director Karhlton F. Moore. "This micro-grant program for small, rural, and tribal law enforcement agencies streamlines the federal grant process and provides agencies with the resources to purchase body-worn cameras for their law enforcement officers.”
BJA selected Justice & Security Strategies, Inc. (JSS) to administer a competitive micro-grant program to small, rural, and tribal law enforcement agencies seeking to initiate or expand a body-worn camera program and provide customized training and technical assistance to micro-grantees through a cooperative agreement. "We were able to fund approximately 40 percent of the applications from across the country through this competitive microgrant program, bringing the total number of agencies offered awards to 683 agencies," JSS Project Director Dr. Shellie Solomon said. "We saw an increased number of awards for 22 states including Illinois, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Kansas over the prior years, demonstrating the widespread interest in enhancing protection for both officers and citizens."
About the Office of Justice Programs
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation's capacity to prevent and reduce crime, advance racial equity in the administration of justice, assist victims and enhance the rule of law.
About the Bureau of Justice Assistance
BJA helps America's state, local, and tribal jurisdictions reduce and prevent crime, lower recidivism, and promote a fair and safe criminal justice system. BJA provides a wide range of resources-including grants, funding, and training and technical assistance-to law enforcement, courts and corrections agencies, treatment providers, reentry practitioners, justice information sharing professionals, and community-based partners to address chronic and emerging criminal justice challenges nationwide.
Chief Randy J Ellison
Swainsboro Police Department
212 North Main Street
Swainsboro, GA 30401
