Springfield Police Department Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood and Mayor Domenic J. Sarno were notified this week that the U.S. Department of Justice awarded the City of Springfield $1,122,000 for the Fiscal Year 2019 Body-Worn Camera Police and Implementation Program Grant.
Mayor Sarno stated, “The added funds are a welcome addition to my administration’s initiative and Commissioner Clapprood’s leadership to get this vitally important program policy going ASAP. This will only continue to enhance and build mutual respect and trust with all of our Springfield community and our Police Department. I am very thankful again to Congressman Neal’s continued steadfast efforts to help us secure this grant.”
“Congratulations to the Commissioner Clapprood and the Springfield Police Department on securing this grant,” said Congressman Richard E. Neal. “The funds are important and timely, and will be used to ensure officer and civilian safety across every neighborhood in our city.”
“This grant funding will help us launch our Body-Worn Camera Program and offset some of the initial costs. We are currently in our testing and evaluation phase and with Mayor Sarno’s continued support we will soon be making the important decision on which vendor to partner with,” said Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood.
The Springfield Police Department’s Grants Administrator Vanessa Lima prepared and submitted the application and is drafting all the proper paperwork necessary to accept the award.
The Springfield Police Department is currently reviewing four vendors for its Body-Worn Camera Program. Three vendors have made their presentations in front of approximately 30 Springfield Police Officers, members of the Law Department, Hampden District Attorney’s Office and IT departments. Officers then put the cameras and equipment in live training scenarios and will score each company before a final decision will be made. The fourth vendor will present in early October. The cost for each vendor’s proposal is sealed through this stage of the procurement process.
Commissioner Clapprood anticipates beginning a rollout of a group of officers with Body-Worn cameras by the end of the year and having all officers trained and equipped sometime in 2020.
Photos: Mayor Sarno speaking to SPD Officers and reviewing the use of body worn cameras at the Paul J. Fenton Public Safety Complex, Tuesday, September 24, 2019.
