Politics. On Point.

Today the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) released  Implementing a Body-Worn Camera Program: Recommendations and Lessons Learned .  The report analyzes some of the costs and benefits of law enforcement using body-worn video technology. “Law enforcement agencies across the nation are contemplating how best to use body-worn cameras and these guidelines will help them weight the costs and benefits,” said COPS Office Director Ronald L. Davis.  “There are many considerations when implementing a body-worn camera and this report   will help chiefs and sheriffs make the best decision for their jurisdiction.” The publication was developed jointly by the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) and COPS through a cooperative agreement under the FY 2013 Community Policing Development Program.  PERF conducted research on the use of body-worn cameras, identified promising practices and lessons learned from the fi...

The Obama Administration awards “Vets to Cops” hiring grants as part of Veterans Job Corps initiative. The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) today announced funding awards to over 220 cities and counties, aimed at creating or saving approximately 800 law enforcement positions.  The grants will fund over 600 new law enforcement positions and save an additional 200 positions recently lost or in jeopardy of being cut due to local budget cuts.  All new law enforcement positions funded in the COPS 2012 Hiring Program must be filled by recent military veterans who have served at least 180 days since September 11, 2001.  In his State of the Union Address, President Obama called for a new Veterans Jobs Corps initiative to help put veterans back to work on a range of projects that leverage skills developed in the military, including first responder jobs. In February, the President announced that preference for this year’s COPS and S...

Vice President Joe Biden visited Alexandria, Virginia’s newly built police headquarters to congratulate the department for being awarded a nearly $860,000 grant to its Community Oriented Policing Services (or COPS ) program. Vice President Biden with Alexandria, Virginia Chief of Police, Earl Cook.  Photo/CD Brown. Vice President Biden highlighted how President Obama’s American Jobs Act would keep first responders like police, fire and emergency personnel on the job. “We owe you.   We owe you big”, said the Vice President. “We owe you every tool available for you not only to keep the community safe, but to keep you safe.” The president’s Jobs bill, which he is hoping to pass with the support of Congress, sets aside $5 billion for law enforcement officials to hire new personnel and avoid layouts. Said Biden, “This award gives you the tools you need.” Alexandria’s Chief of police Earl Cook knows all too well about losing essential personnel.   Alexandria’s ...