Cherokee County sheriff's office awarded grant for body camera program

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Kan. (KOAM) - Earlier this month, Justice & Security Strategies (JSS) announced that the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office has been awarded a $90,000 grant to support their body-worn camera program.

This funding, provided through a joint program with the United States Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance, places the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office among only 40 Sheriff's Offices nationwide to receive such funding through a competitive process.

Chief Deputy Nate Jones stated, "I'm excited to have received the announcement of this $90,000.00 project being successfully funded, especially knowing there were over 800 agencies competing for funding, our body-worn camera program is an essential component in our profession, allowing us to provide valuable evidence in criminal cases while enhancing transparency and accountability. This grant funding will allow us to upgrade our system with cameras that are more suitable and compatible with our current and future agency and technological needs, while repurposing our current cameras."

Dr. Shellie Solomon, JSS project director, commented on the broader impact of the grant program. "This grant program made it easier for small, rural, and tribal law enforcement agencies to apply for funding. We received over 800 applications, a clear indication that these agencies wanted a streamlined grant process and that there is a high demand for body-worn cameras," she said. Dr. Solomon also noted the Justice Department's commitment to providing law enforcement with valuable resources to enhance accountability and build trust within communities.

Chief Deputy Jones is optimistic about the timeline for deploying the new cameras, concluding, "I'm optimistic we will be able to have the new cameras on hand and deployed in the fall."

This grant marks a significant step forward for the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office in their ongoing efforts to enhance law enforcement capabilities and community relations.

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