Wilmington Police Get $50K State Grant For Body Cameras

WILMINGTON, MA — Wilmington police was awarded $49,955 to purchase body-worn cameras, the Gov. Charlie Baker administration said Thursday.

The state awarded more than $4 million in grant funding for 64 cities and towns to start or expand body camera programs, Baker's office said. The grants are the first round of a five-year, $20 million grant program that aims to deploy 9,000 cameras to Massachusetts police departments.

"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," Baker said. "This technology offers municipalities a valuabletool in support of municipal police in their efforts to ensure public safety and transparency in their communities."

The administration announced the grant program in June. Departments had 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," according to the news release announcing the grants.

"On behalf of Chief Joseph Desmond, the Wilmington Police Department is excited about being awarded funds from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Executive Office of Public Safety for a body worn camera program," Deputy Chief Brian Pupa said. "As the Wilmington Police continue to be more transparent in the services it provides the community, the implementation of a body worn camera program will enhance and support these efforts."

As of the end of 2021, 10 percent of municipal departments in the state have body camera programs, the news release said. But 75 percent of departments are interested in getting body cameras, according to a Massachusetts Chief of Police Association poll.

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

The full list of departments receiving body camera funds is available here.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.