West Chester, PA (September 16, 2024) – West Chester Borough was awarded important grant funding to purchase new body cameras for its police officers, state Senator Carolyn Comitta and state Rep. Chris Pielli announced.
The $250,000 grant, supported by federal funding through the Pennsylvania Local Law Enforcement Support Grant Program, was approved this week by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
“Body cameras are an important tool in instilling trust in law enforcement, promoting openness, accountability, and transparency, and gathering evidence from an objective viewpoint,” said Comitta, who previously served as Mayor of West Chester Borough. “Our police and emergency first responders deserve the latest technology to protect our communities and themselves. Investing in upgraded body cameras for our police is an investment in public safety.”
“I am extremely happy to have worked with Senator Comitta to bring about this much-needed grant for our police and first responders. These state-of-the art body cameras will help support West Chester Police Department’s dedicated mission of protecting and serving the citizens of our community with their continued high level of professionalism, transparency, and accountability,” Pielli said.
“I am beyond thrilled that the West Chester Police Department has been awarded this Justice Assistance Grant for $250,000. These funds will be used to offset much of the cost of obtaining new, state-of-the-art body-worn cameras and in-car video systems. The new cameras and systems will improve police operations and enhance public safety and trust. We thank Senator Comitta and Representative Pielli for their continued support,” said West Chester Police Chief Josh Lee.
Supported with state funding, the West Chester Police Department first began to use body cameras in 2020. The department requires that all field operations personnel wear body cameras. Officers are required to record situations during which they encounter the public and an arrest, detention, or use of force is likely. However, most of the cameras currently in use are out of warranty and approaching the end of their life cycle.
In the spring, West Chester Borough Council approved applying for grant funding to purchase new cameras for all 44 department officers. The borough is also budgeting funds to support the investment, which is expected to cost between $500,000 and $600,000 according to reports.
The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) is currently rolling out body cameras to troopers across the Commonwealth. So far, PSP troops covering 19 counties have successfully implemented body-worn cameras. PSP expects to have fully implemented body-worn cameras and updated mobile video recorders for all of its troops by the end of the first quarter of 2025.
In addition, full-time Pennsylvania Wildlife Conservation Officers (now known as State Game Wardens) already wear body cameras and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is currently in the process of procuring and rolling-out cameras for its Waterways Conservation Officers
There are also proposals before the legislature to authorize body cameras for parole agents and others.