SAN ANTONIO -- The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday it was awarded a grant that will help fund their first-ever fully integrated body-worn camera project.
- Gone through many steps over several years
- Over 550 body cameras will be purchased
- Specialist will also be hired
The program was spearheaded by Sheriff Javier Salazar and the project has gone through several steps to get to this point.
The total amount awarded -- $765,416.00 -- will cover the cost of 397 turn-key Axon body camera systems. Items include: body cameras, docking stations, software licensing, patrol vehicle capabilities, cloud storage, and training for deputies.
“It’s critical our police officers have the necessary resources to protect lives and improve police-community relations in our community,” said Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28). “These funds will allow the county to purchase additional body-worn cameras in order to enhance transparency, promote accountability and advance public safety for law enforcement officers and our city.”
READ MORE | BCSO Moves Forward with Body Camera Project
400 Axon body cameras will be purchased with funds from this grant, while an additional 150 Axon cameras will be matched by Bexar County with a total of 550 Axon cameras being awarded to BSCO.
Additionally, this grant includes two open record specialist positions along with software and technology to assist with reviewing body-worn camera footage.
Overseeing the BCSO Axon Body-Worn Camera Project will be a Program Supervisor and a Technical Administrator—both positions within the Law Enforcement Bureau.
Steps to train deputies on utilizing the body-worn cameras have begun, however Axon body cameras, which were utilized during the trial and test phase for Patrol and Detention Deputies will remain in use.
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