Police In Bristol-Warren Get Grants For Body Cameras

BRISTOL-WARREN , RI — Police departments in Bristol and Warren were awarded federal grants to purchase body cameras for its officers.

With the $341,250 grant, Bristol police will purchase 39 body cameras, a spokesperson for Attorney General Peter Neronha's office said Wednesday. Warren got up to $187,500 to purchase 18 cameras.

The grants were part of a $16 million package awarded to 42 local and state law enforcement agencies throughout Rhode Island. Statewide, the grant package will equip about 1,773 police officers with body-worn cameras.

"Today is a good day for all Rhode Islanders, as we equip front-line police officers across the state with a helpful tool that will benefit them and the public by assisting critical fact finding and building community trust," Neronha said in a statement. "In an increasingly technological age, where judges, juries and the public expect to see the evidence on which they are to make decisions and render judgments, making body-worn cameras broadly available makes perfect sense. With today’s funding announcement, we have removed a substantial monetary barrier for many municipalities that continuously juggle critical priorities."

Rhode Island adopted the statewide body camera program in July. Neronha and former Rhode Island State Police Col. James Manni, working with the Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association, created policies for the use and operation of cameras in police departments statewide.