The U.S. Department of Justice has awarded the Seattle Police Department $600,000 to expand its body camera program. The Seattle Times reports that the DOJ announced the funding Monday as part of a federal campaign to improve law-enforcement transparency.
Seattle police finished a small pilot program this summer in which a dozen officers used body cameras. Department officials say they hope to have all patrol officers wearing cameras next year. The federal funding will go toward purchasing equipment and training officers.
The DOJ awarded federal funding to 73 police agencies across the country, which will help buy an estimated 21,000 cameras. The grants total $19.3 million for buying cameras; $2 million for training; and $1.9 million for examining their use.