Training and Technical Assistance for the US Department of Justice Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program

Following several high-profile in-custody deaths in 2014 and 2015 and the resulting social unrest, police departments came under increasing pressure to enhance officer accountability and build community trust. Police body-worn cameras (BWCs) emerged as an accountability and transparency tool drew widespread attention among law enforcement, politicians, advocacy groups, and citizens. In 2015, the Obama Administration formed the President’s Task Force on 21^st Century Policing, which identified more than 60 recommendations for policing reform, including the use of BWCs. Following up on this recommendation, the White House committed to providing $70 million over three years directly to police departments for the purchase of BWCs. This funding mechanism, the Policy and Implementation Program (PIP), is administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance.

Arizona State University joined with CNA Corporation and Justice and Security Solutions (JSS) to facilitate the training and technical assistance (TTA) for law enforcement agencies that receive PIP funding (http://bwctta.com/). In 2015, PIP awarded over $19 million to 73 agencies, and in 2016, over $20 million was awarded to 106 agencies. These agencies include local, state, tribal, and school/university law enforcement agencies.

The ASU team is led by Dr. White, Co-director of Training and Technical assistance, and Dr. Katz, Senior Advisor. The TTA team provides a wide range of support to PIP sites including: peer-to-peer training, webinars, speaker series, policy and training templates, and other services as needed. One national meeting is provided annually, as well as several regional meetings throughout the year centered on topics of interest. The ASU team has directed a number of research efforts for the PIP program, resulting in several reports, publications, and presentations. A selection of those efforts are provided below.

 

Katz, Charles M. & White, Michael D. (2017). Body-worn camera training guide. U.S. Department of Justice Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program,      Regional Conference (Phoenix, AZ).

White, Michael D., Herbert, Jessica, & Katz, Charles M. (2016). Key trends in body-worn camera policy and practice: A policy analysis of US Department of Justice-funded law enforcement agencies. Center for Violence Prevention and Community Safety, Arizona State University.

White, Michael D., Coldren, James, White, Brian, Wilhelm, Michael, Zehnder, Daniel, & Roosa, Michael. (2016). Variation in body-worn camera policies: Sources, suggestions, and solutions. Presented at the International Association of Chiefs of Police Meeting, San Diego, CA.