Mamaroneck Gets $85K From DOJ For Police Body Cams

MAMARONECK, NY — Village of Mamaroneck residents will soon notice more and more police officers wearing body cams, thanks in part to a substantial grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Village of Mamaroneck has been awarded $84,000 from the DOJ for the purchase of 42 body-worn cameras. The move will accomplish one of the major crime prevention recommendations from the Village’s Police Reform and Reinvention Committee.

"The addition of body cams will serve to protect both our police officers and the public," Mayor Tom Murphy said of the grant. "It is a step toward greater transparency and building greater community trust in our police department."

Body-worn cameras (BWCs) offer additional benefits beyond their evidentiary effectiveness, including in areas of officer safety, transparency, accountability, and training, according to village officials. The Sound Shore municipality points to a study conducted for the DOJ by the Center for Crime and Justice Policy at the University of Nevada Las Vegas that found body cams actually reduce reports of misconduct and police use of force incidents. This can also generate significant cost savings in and of itself.

Mamaroneck officials can also address challenges law enforcement faces in terms of public perception. The body-worn cameras have been particularly helpful in other jurisdictions during and immediately following any use of force incidents. Improved documentation in the form of video footage during these interactions is expected help confirm the sequence of events as well as supporting officer and witness accounts.

"We are thrilled the Village of Mamaroneck Police Department was selected to receive this award," Village of Mamaroneck Police Chief Sandra DiRuzza said. "Body Worn Cameras are yet another way for the department to increase legitimacy and transparency with the community."