Smile the next time an Ocean State police officer approaches your driver’s side window. You may be on camera.

The state’s top law enforcement officers, federal and local legislators recently announce around $16 million in grants to equip Rhode Island police departments with body-worn cameras. The funding is expected to purchase 1,773 cameras for 42 local law enforcement agencies.

Cranston received $778,750 for 89 cameras; Johnston $402,500 for 46 cameras; and Warwick, $910,000 for 104 cameras.

“We look forward to joining police departments across the state to provide body-worn camera technology to all our frontline Officers,” said Cranston Chief of Police Col. Michael Winquist. “Thanks to grants from the US Department of Justice and the State, the program will not require any city funding.”

The state’s local police departments (cities, towns and some universities) are expected to use the grant funding to “purchase and operate the cameras governed by a recently finalized statewide policy that sets comprehensive standards for the use of the cameras,” according to a press release from Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha’s Office.

“Body-worn cameras provide a complete account of police-public interactions and are expected to strengthen prosecutions,” Winquist said. “I am confident in the professionalism of my officers and believe the recordings will show the great work they perform daily, serving the citizens of Cranston. The cameras will also help identify areas of training that can be enhanced as we strive to deliver the highest level of police services.”

In August, Johnston Police were awaiting funding and finalization of the policies that will govern body-worn police cameras.

“The Johnston Police Department is still in the initial phases of implementing a body-worn camera program and we are committed to providing another layer of transparency and accountability to the public we proudly serve,” Johnston Police Chief Joseph P. Razza said in August. “We are in negotiations with a vendor and still looking at how much funding we will be receiving from the State of Rhode Island to implement the program.  A state wide policy governing the use of BWC’s was a critical element that has been overcome and once funding becomes available the process should speed up.”

Last year, Warwick Police Chief Col. Bradford E. Connor voiced his support for the program in a letter to Rhode Island’s former Department of Public Safety Director Col James Manni.

The Warwick Police Department participated in a pilot program and has embraced the spirit of uniform-worn surveillance technology.

“The City of Warwick Police Department serves a population of 81,000 residents and has within its borders the T. F. Green Airport, Amtrak train station, 15 hotels, 39 miles of coastline, and Interstate 95, which runs directly through the center of the city; bringing with it a very transient and diverse population,” Connor wrote to Manni. “Policing this unique populace are 175 sworn officers.”

Warwick will receive $910,000 in grant funding for 104 cameras; enough to equip more than half of the city’s police force, and nearly all of the department’s frontline workers.

“Of the 175, roughly 110 frontline officers and supervisors will be issued the body worn cameras,” Connor wrote in July, 2021. “These men and women handle the various calls for service and serve as our direct contact with the public. With the increase in calls for service, the rise in mental health related emergencies and rate of public mistrust of the police it is crucial that each of these interactions include audio and video documentation, which the body worn cameras will provide.”

Legislators said the $16 million in grant awards should cover body-worn cameras for 1,773 frontline Rhode Island police officers.

“Today is good day for all Rhode Islanders, as we equip front-line police officers across the state with a helpful tool that will benefit them and the public by assisting critical fact finding and building community trust,” Neronha said while announcing the funding. “In an increasingly technological age, where judges, juries and the public expect to see the evidence on which they are to make decisions and render judgments, making body-worn cameras broadly available makes perfect sense. With today’s funding announcement, we have removed a substantial monetary barrier for many municipalities that continuously juggle critical priorities. This has been a collective effort, and I am grateful to everyone, including leaders in the General Assembly, the Governor, members of law enforcement, and our Congressional Delegation who have made today possible.”

The Rhode Island State Police will also equip troopers with new technology.

“Outfitting our Troopers and members of law enforcement with body-worn cameras is a key milestone as we work to address the issues that are challenges in policing today,” said Colonel Darnell S. Weaver, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police and current Director of the Department of Public Safety. “Cameras will add transparency, provide accountability, and give a point-of-view perspective – to every police contact. I expect that cameras will foster greater trust between citizens and their police departments, helping to lower complaints and improve relationships. These cameras will substantially improve the quality of evidence we collect and conduct investigations more efficiently.”

The Statewide Body-Worn Camera Program was created in June, 2021, when Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee signed it into legislation.

“Today is an important day in Rhode Island as we move forward in strengthening trust, accountability, and transparency between our police officers and the people they protect and serve," McKee said two weeks ago, while announcing the grant funding. “I am proud to be part of this collaborative initiative that will help foster strong, positive community-police relations throughout the state.”

Neronha and the Rhode Island Department of Public Safety consulted with the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association, and together, they were tasked with implementing the program.

Law Enforcment leaders also needed to develop a framework of rules and regulations to govern the program.

“The Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association is proud to support the use of body-worn cameras,” said Sean Corrigan, RIPCA President and Narragansett Police Chief. “We appreciate not only the immense value they provide in transparency, but also the opportunity to reach truthful resolutions and promote greater public trust … We are grateful to the stakeholders involved in the process and look forward to these cameras on our officers and in our streets.”

Local police departments receiving funds through the program must certify that they have adopted the Statewide Body-Worn Camera Policy before they receive the funds, according to Neronha’s office.

“This important requirement ensures that police departments statewide adopt model policies that protect constitutional rights, document critical interactions between law enforcement and members of the public, promote transparency, and build public trust in government,” according to a press release from the Attorney General.