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FW: Your BJA Grant Application GRANT13410529
GRANT1 3410529.pdf
From: Review, OJPPeer <OJPPeerReview@usdoi.gov>
Sent: Monday, January 24, 2022 5:30 PM
To: BOCC <BOCC@co.weld.co.us>
Cc: Sonja Kohlgraf <skohlgraf@weldgov.com>; Chris D'Ovidio <cdovidio@weldgov.com>; Markovic, John (OJP)
<John.Markovic2@usdoi.gov>
Subject: Your BJA Grant Application GRANT13410529
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U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs
Washington, D.C. 20531
January 24, 2022
Steve Moreno
WELD, COUNTY OF
1150O STREET
GREELEY, CO
JustGrants Number: GRANT13410529
Dear Steve Moreno:
The Office of Justice Programs' (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) would like to thank you for your
recent grant application in response to BJA's FY 2021 solicitation, Body -Worn Camera Policy and
Implementation Program to Support Law Enforcement Agencies. Although your application received
careful consideration, we regret to inform you that it was not selected for funding.
Of the 232 applications that were received under this solicitation, 94 were selected for funding based on
feedback from peer reviewers and other considerations, such as achieving geographic diversity, strategic
priorities, past performance, and available funding.
A panel of up to three independent peer reviewers evaluated each application and noted strengths and
weaknesses based on the selection criteria identified in the solicitation. In an effort to assist your organization in
applying for future funding, enclosed please find a summary of the peer review comments for your application.
These comments are shared with you to help you improve future applications and to assist in identifying
potential programmatic gaps identified by the subject -matter expert peer reviewers.
You may notice occasional duplicative or even potentially contradictory comments, which are a result of similar
or differing opinions of the reviewers on the panel. BJA does not require peer reviewers to agree with others on
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the panel who may have a differing view. All OJP funding decisions are final, and reviewer comments
expressed in the summary are those of the individual reviewers.
We thank you for your interest in BJA's funding opportunities and submitting an application for the Body -
Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program to Support Law Enforcement Agencies. We
encourage you to visit BJA's website at www.bja.gov for future funding, training, and technical assistance
opportunities. In addition, BJA offers resources and guidance on submitting applications through BJA's Grant
Writing and Management Academy, which is available at: https://www.bja.gov/gwma/index.html. If you have
any questions, please contact the OJP Response Center at 1-800-851-3420 or via e-mail at
responsecenter@ncjrs.gov.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Griffith
Acting Deputy Director for Policy
Bureau of Justice Assistance
Bureau of Justice Assistance
BJA FY 21 Body -Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program to Support Law
Enforcement Agencies
WELD, COUNTY OF
GRANT13410529
Statement of the Problem/Description of the Issue
Strengths
The applicant clearly states the grant is for an expansion to the Weld CSO to equip the
detention facility, court facility and executive staff with body -worn cameras (BWCs).
The BWC provides for clarity and accountability of their personnel. The applicant
currently equips 80 road deputies with Body Worn by Utility BWC and clearly states
their intention to utilize the existing vendor to expand the BWC program. The applicant
states that they are expanding their BWC program due to legislative requirements by the
State of Colorado. The applicant indicates that they plan to match the $374,391 grant
request. The applicant provides information that they have received a $200,000.00
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) 2021 grant from the State of
Colorado, which the applicant intends to use to offset the cost of the BWC program. The
applicant indicates that they work with prosecutors and defense counsel by providing
BWC footage, as necessary. The applicant is detailed in their explanation of the current
BWC staff and the applicant's determination to add additional BWC staff to support the
expanded program if the grant is approved. The applicant appears to have a very good
grasp of the requirements of a BWC program and provides sufficient detail to support
how they will grow and enhance the BWC program through the BWC grant.
• The applicant clearly states the need to expand the current number of body -worn
cameras —which is 80 at the present time —used in patrol. While the department has 361
sworn members, the applicant seeks to expand the current number with 281 additional
body -worn cameras for use by the personnel assigned to jail duties (detention), as well as
court officers and executive members of the department.
• This agency wants to expand their program and work to have more deputies and the
executive staff outfitted with BWCs. The applicant already has implemented some
mobile technologies.
Weaknesses
The applicant needs to provide more detail regarding the impact (positive or negative) on
the community. The applicant should indicate if the match is in kind or cash.
GRANT13410529 Page 1 of 6
Bureau of Justice Assistance
BJA FY 21 Body -Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program to Support Law
Enforcement Agencies
The applicant mentions only law enforcement/evidentiary uses and also needs to
emphasize accountability. The district attorney's letter of support mentions only frivolous
claims that happen in the jail setting and also should mention assaults on officers. Even
though the applicant has implemented some mobile technologies, they need to say how
these are assessed. They should provide details about their current program. The entire
proposal needs more detail, and the omission of anything about transparency and
accountability makes the anticipated use questionable.
Project Design and Implementation
Strengths
The applicant provides a broad overview of the current BWC program. The applicant
includes a letter of support from the local district attorney as community support.
• The applicant defines goals and objectives and identifies problems and use in training.
Expanding to detention seems to be the objective to determine if misconduct occurs and
for training purposes.
• The applicant currently has a retention schedule that they believe will be enhanced by the
expanded program. They say that they have already developed training.
Weaknesses
The applicant needs to provide sufficient detail regarding how the current BWC program
will be expanded, how the applicant expects to provide greater accountability and
transparency to the public, and how their personnel will be positively or negatively
impacted by BWC use. As an example, the detention officers will be less likely to be
found responsible for a complaint from an inmate if the encounter is captured on BWC.
Similarly,, inmates should positively react to the use of BWC by detention facility staff,
ensuring that every encounter is recorded. The applicant needs to provide more detail
regarding their expectation of the reduction of complaints and accusations and could have
provided data from their patrol deputies, as an example of their expectations of outcomes.
The applicant provides information regarding outcomes but focuses primarily on the
monthly data usage and collection of BWC recordings each month. The applicant should
provide more detail regarding community input and support.
• The application would be enhanced with mention of community relations with law
enforcement and how body -worn cameras will enhance that relationship.
GRANT13410529 Page 2 of 6
Bureau of Justice Assistance
BJA FY 21 Body -Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program to Support Law
Enforcement Agencies
• The applicant should say whether they will hire additional staff to review and analyze the
additional footage from the additional people who will be outfitted with cameras. Even
though the applicant says that they have already developed training, they need to say how
this will be sustained with an expanded program.
Capabilities and Competencies
Strengths
The applicant provides detail to demonstrate their knowledge of their current BWC
deployment and generally describes the responsibilities of the WCSO employee who
oversees the current BWC program. The abstract provides sufficient information
regarding the staff expansion if the applicant receives the BWC grant. The applicant
indicates that supervisors routinely review BWC to identify training or personnel issues.
The applicant describes how they implemented and manage their current BWC program,
which covers more than 4,000 square miles. The applicant indicates they have a BWC
policy in place that meets state standards. The applicant provides a broad overview of
how they intend to implement and support the additional BWCs requested through the
BWC grant.
• Currently, there is one person —the applicant is looking to expand to three —for the
management of the body -worn cameras and review.
The applicant discusses previous mobile technology. They say they have a retention
program and have developed training.
Weaknesses
The applicant needs to provide sufficient detail regarding their communication plan for
BWC. While the applicant describes their intention to expand their staff, they should
provide detail regarding the competencies, experience, and information regarding the
staff coming from within the sheriff's office or if there will be new hires based upon their
expertise. The applicant needs to provide information regarding other recent technology
implementations. The applicant should include mention of the community stakeholder
impact and involvement from the current BWC program, and how the applicant expects
to benefit from and expanded program.
• The application would be strengthened by clearly defining how training is enhanced and
how problems are identified by the one person assigned —and what is anticipated of two
more personnel to review thousands of hours of video.
GRANT13410529 Page 3 of 6
Bureau of Justice Assistance
BJA FY 21 Body -Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program to Support Law
Enforcement Agencies
• The applicant needs to detail previous mobile technology and how it has been
implemented. The applicant should provide an indication of the new staff and new
capabilities regarding how they will operate an expanded program.
Plans for Collecting the Data Required for this Solicitation's Performance
Measures
Strengths
The applicant details their intentions to work with the Bureau of Justice Assistance
training and technical assistance (TTA) provider to addresses TTA issues. The applicant
provides an overview of their current data collection but limits the discussion to the
number of BWC recordings that are generated each month and determining the average
data requirements. The applicant indicates that one full-time employee currently is
responsible for the current BWC program, and three additional personnel will be added
with the BWC grant expansion.
• The applicant explains the need for additional personnel to complement the one person
assigned to collect the data and conduct the performance measures.
• The applicant says they have policies in place.
Weaknesses
• The applicant needs to address the performance measurement of their current program
and how they will measure performance with the BWC grant expanded program. While
the applicant speaks to the employees responsible for the current BWC program and their
expectations for additional personnel through the BWC grant expansion, the applicant
also should provide sufficient detail regarding the staff's specific responsibilities.
• The applicant needs more details of just what performance measures/goals are done
currently —and anticipated in the future.
• The applicant should provide details as to how the information will be collected and
analyzed. They need to specify personnel and identify any existing or future individuals
who will be responsible for collecting and analyzing the data.
Budget
GRANT13410529 Page 4 of 6
Bureau of Justice Assistance
BJA FY 21 Body -Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program to Support Law
Enforcement Agencies
Strengths
• The applicant makes a request for the total number of BWCs, which includes the
necessary equipment to operationalize each BWC. The applicant intends to apply a
$200,000 JAG grant to the BWC program to offset the first -year costs.
• The budget request is clearly defined for half the overall cost anticipated at $748,780.
• The applicant describes the particular cameras they intend to purchase.
Weaknesses
The applicant needs to provide information regarding the budget, other than the request
for funds and the inclusion of the $200,000 JAG grant. The applicant indicates that each
BWC is expected to cost $2,664.70, which is over the allowable expenditure for each
BWC by $664.70. The applicant should provide information regarding how the applicant
intends to locally match the grant funds, either in cash or in kind. The application needs
to include a budget for attending the BWC National Conference.
• Although the applicant describes the cameras they plan to purchase, there also should
break down the costs. They say they have matching funds but also need to identify a
source.
Program Continuity
Strengths
• The applicant references a four-year plan within the budget, regarding the current body -
worn cameras and proposed future body -worn cameras to be purchased with this funding.
• With an increase of personnel by two for the review process and a four-year plan
included in the budget, there is an assumption, although not specified, of the continuity of
the body -worn cameras into the future.
Weaknesses
• The application would be improved with mention of how the program will be continued.
Summary
GRANT13410529 Page 5 of 6
Bureau of Justice Assistance
BJA FY 21 Body -Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program to Support Law
Enforcement Agencies
Strengths
• The applicant is in need of these funds.
This is an overall good proposal for additional cameras by the agency. The applicant
clearly defines the area of responsibility and population in the area and recognizes the
state law requiring additional camera implementation for their staff. The addition of 281
body -worn cameras at a cost of $948,781.00 will enhance use by court personnel,
detention personnel, and executive staff. The district attorney provides a letter of support
for the program, which is attached to the proposal.
Weaknesses
• The application would be strengthened with sufficient detail that the applicant will be
able to manage not only the BWC grant but the acquisition and management of the
expanded BWC program.
GRANT13410529 Page 6 of 6
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