State Grant to Carmel Police for Interrogation Videos

CARMEL, NY — The Carmel Police Department will receive a grant to buy state-of-the art video interrogation equipment in a move to increase police effectiveness and promote justice.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. announced Monday that 20 law enforcement agencies will receive a total of $508,492 enabling them to video record criminal interrogations.

Local departments receiving the grants are:

· Clarkstown Police Department: $23,252

· Carmel Police Department: $4,849

· Mount Vernon Police Department: $19,973

· White Plains Department of Public Safety: $1,627

· Orange County District Attorney’s Office: $50,967

· Poughkeepsie (Town) Police Department: $9,744

· Saugerties Police Department: $5,097

· Chester (Town) Police Department: $15,384

Half the funding will be provided by Vance's office from criminal asset forfeiture funds obtained through settlements with international banks for violating U.S. sanctions. Funding will be matched by federal funds administered by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services.

"Clear video footage taken during an interrogation can help prevent a wrongful conviction or protect investigators from false accusations," said former Monroe County District Attorney Michael C. Green, now a DCJS Executive Deputy Commissioner. "These grants will enhance law enforcement's ability to solve crimes, but also prevent wrongful convictions and protect departments from the frivolous civil law suits that arise from unfounded claims of misconduct."

Police departments, sheriff and district attorney's offices will use the grants to purchase and install video recording equipment for the first time, increase the number of rooms available to record statements at an agency, and add data storage capacity for existing equipment.

With this funding, New York State has provided more than $3.5 million to police and prosecutors to support video recording, which is widely recognized as improving the fairness and effectiveness of the criminal justice system.

"This equipment will aid law enforcement agencies across New York in helping to ensure justice is served, the rights of individuals are preserved and officers are protected," Cuomo said in his announcement. "Through this collaborative effort we are taking action to increase confidence in the criminal justice system and making this a more fair New York for all."

Priority was given to agencies that did not apply for, or receive funding in 2013, the last time grants were available. Eligible agencies included all police departments, sheriff’s offices and district attorney’s offices located outside of New York City. All 62 counties in New York have at least one law enforcement agency with the technology to video record interrogation interviews.

Image by nesnad, via Wikimedia Commons