Maverick County Sheriff’s Department to apply for Body Cameras Grant
By: Jose G. Landa, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2015
Maverick County Sheriff Department is seeking to submit a preliminary grant application to the Office of the Texas Governor Criminal Justice Division for funds to be used for the implementation of a Body Worn Camera Program.
Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber stated that such program will definitely assist the Maverick County Sheriff’s Department in protecting the community and officers. “Implementing such an important program will allow our department to have a more appropriate record on individual calls and traffic stops for records/evidence use and also will assist us in assuring compliance of policies in place by our Deputies as well.The Body Camera Program will assist us in many different ways in protecting our community and officers,” said Sheriff Schmerber.
Such camera data will also be greatly beneficial in evidence gathering in cases that could be vital during court proceedings.
The Criminal Justice Division (CJD) of the Office of the Texas Governor promotes strategies that improve and support criminal justice efforts across Texas by directing funding to first responders and service providers through the administration of grants from a variety of state and federal sources. Resources are dedicated towards programs that protect people from crime, reduce the number of crimes committed, respond to the needs of crime victims and promote accountability, efficiency, and effectiveness within the criminal justice system.
The Criminal Justice Division announced the new Body Camera Worn Grant Program on October 26,2015 to aid municipal police departments and county sheriff’s offices in establishing or enhancing body-worn camera (BWC) programs.
Eligible law enforcement agencies may submit preliminary applications by no later than December 7, 2015.
It is anticipated that up to $10 million may be funded under this program for body use cameras.
Applicants are required to first complete a preliminary application. CJD will then make preliminary funding decisions – including any limitations on costs or award amount – and notify each applicant. Selected applicants may then complete a final grant application to receive those funds, as long as they meet all required conditions. Timeline for the Grant application are as follows: funding announcement and preliminary application system opens October 26,2015, preliminary application due from applicants December 7, 2015 by 5PM CST, Notice of preliminary funding decisions announced by January 19, 2016, Earliest final applications accepted January 20, 2016, Final date to submit an final application July 15, 2016 by 5PM CST, Earliest grantee start date March 1, 2016, and Latest grantee start date is August 15, 2016.
Grantees must provide matching funds equal to 25% of the CJD award amount. The match requirement can be met through cash or in-kind contributions. Match funds may not be in the form of discounts or contributions from camera or storage vendors. A project funded may not exceed a 12-month period.
Applications may be submitted by municipal police departments and county sheriff’s departments that employ officers who are engaged in traffic or highway patrol, otherwise regularly detain or stop motor vehicles, or are primary responders to calls for assistance from the public.
Maverick County Commissioners Court discussed Sheriff Schmerber’s request to approve his application for submission allowing the Maverick County Sheriff’s Office to submit a preliminary grant application seeking funds from the Office of the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division Body –Worn Camera Program at their special meeting held on Tuesday, November 24, 2015, which Commissioners Court unanimously approved Sheriff’s Schmerber request.
