New Bedford, Fall River Police Receive Grants for Body Cameras

New Bedford and Fall River police departments will receive funding for police body cameras as part of a $3.6 million grant being awarded by the Healey-Driscoll Administration to 52 local police departments across Massachusetts.

Governor Maura Healey announced the grant as part of the third year of the Law Enforcement Body-Worn Camera Program. The program awarded a total of $3,610,598.95 to fund and support police agencies and the expansion of body camera programs in Massachusetts communities.

In June of 2022, the Fall River Police Department implemented the use of body-worn cameras for the first time as a pilot program, only outfitting seven officers with cameras during that time. Fall River now receives a grant of $7,400 from the Healey-Driscoll Administration to aid the program.

Get our free mobile app

New Bedford will be awarded $250,000 for implementing body cameras. The award comes after a new three-year contract was reached in June between the City of New Bedford and the New Bedford Police Department.

"These grants provide local police agencies with resources to implement technology that strengthens police-community relations while improving investigations and advancing the fundamental principles of transparency and accountability," Governor Maura Healy stated in a press release.

"This investment reflects our administration's commitment to increasing public safety, promoting best practices among law enforcement, and nurturing strong relationships between police and the communities they serve,” she said.

Other local departments receiving a grant include Yarmouth Police with $7,220, Bourne Police getting $61,482, and Marion Police receiving $42,530.