NCJ Number
205707
Date Published
December 2003
Length
1 page
Annotation
After briefly reviewing the history of the Federal Office of Community Oriented Policing Services' (COPS) In-Car Camera program, this "Fact Sheet" provides an overview of the program's activities during fiscal year 2003.
Abstract
The In-Car Camera program began in fiscal year 2000, when $12 million in grants were authorized. Appropriations allowed COPS to offer these grants again in fiscal years 2001, 2002, and 2003. To date the program has provided more than 5,000 vehicle-based video camera systems to law enforcement agencies. These cameras have served to deter assaults on officers, provide evidence in trials, provide material for officer training, increase law enforcement accountability, and help build an agency's credibility in the community. Under the program, COPS has awarded more than $21 million to 49 State law enforcement agencies and the District of Columbia. In fiscal year 2003, COPS awarded nearly $3.2 million through the program. Training is also provided under the grant program to ensure that the users maximize the effectiveness of the cameras and use them to foster a higher level of professionalism. Specialized training courses offered by the Law Enforcement Mobile Video Institute address such issues as racial profiling, police brutality, civil rights violations, police integrity, and lack of public trust. COPS has partnered with the International Association of Chiefs of Police to fund an evaluation of the In-Car Camera program. This evaluation will determine the effectiveness of the cameras in increasing officer safety, improving conviction rates, reducing citizen complaints, and preventing racial profiling.