Malden Police Awarded $95K Grant For Body Cameras

MALDEN, MA — The Malden Police Department was among 64 law enforcement agencies awarded grants from the state for body-worn cameras.

The grants, totaling $4 million, are the first in a five-year, $20 million capital grant program, which is expected to deploy 9,000 body-worn cameras to cities and towns.

"We are glad to provide communities with these resources for body-worn camera programs, because they improve public safety, strengthen community-police relations, and enhance the values of transparency and accountability," Gov. Charlie Baker said in a statement. "This technology offers municipalities a valuable tool in support of municipal police in their efforts to ensure public safety and transparency in their communities."

The state awarded Malden a grant totaling $95,024. In September, the city and police department reached an agreement to start using body cameras.

"The willing acceptance of a body camera initiative is an extension and evolution of the Malden Police Department's already proud history of public service and community engagement," Police Chief Molis said at the time.

Last June, the administration announced the availability of $20 million in capital funding over five years to support a body-worn camera grant program, which is managed by the Office of Grants and Research within the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.

The grant application process requires each municipal department to submit a comprehensive deployment plan that describes a deliberate and phased plan to deploy the technology, as well as specific ways the proposed program will enhance the agency's mission.

Currently, 10 percent of Massachusetts municipal departments operate a body-worn camera program. However, a poll conducted by the Massachusetts Chief of Police Association indicated that 75 percent of departments in both major cities and smaller communities are interested in starting a program.

"Body-worn camera programs also provide law enforcement agencies with an important tool to improve training and advance best practices," said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy. "This grant program and the resulting implementation of advanced technology will improve safety for police and communities across the Commonwealth."