State Funds To Help Pay For Southington Police Body Cams

HARTFORD – The State Bond Commission on Wednesday approved a grant to fund body cameras for Southington police.

State Rep. John Fusco (R-81) made the announcement shortly after the meeting.

As part of a $100,493 expenditure, three municipal police departments, including Southington, will be reimbursed for purchases of body-worn recording equipment, digital data storage and "related services" for law enforcement officers. The grant approved Wednesday includes $41,288 for Southington.

"Body cameras help protect the rights of citizens and police officers and I'm pleased these funds will help offset the cost of adding these important pieces of equipment to our town," Fusco said. "Smart investments in technology, including supplying our law enforcement officers with the tools to do their job safely, bring benefits that far exceed the cost. Transparency increases public trust and helps bring the community even closer."

Once fully implemented, grants under the program will total $12 million statewide, including $2 million earmarked specifically for the state police. To date, 8,216,519 has been previously approved and disbursed.

Other municipalities that received reimbursement under Wednesday's grant include the North Branford Police Department with a grant totaling $54,707 and the Stratford Police Department with a grant totaling $4,498. The total request equaled $100,493.