Attorney General James Provides Funds For Police Body-Worn Cameras To The Rochester Police Department And Monroe County Sheriff's Office 

AG Presents Checks for more than $163,000 to Agencies for 100 Body-Worn Camera Systems as Part of Statewide Program to Support Local Law Enforcement

ROCHESTER – Attorney General Letitia James today presented the Rochester Police Department and Monroe County Sheriff’s Office with checks to support body-worn camera (BWC) programs. The Rochester Police Department received $104,450 for 70 body-worn camera systems and 15 body-worn camera docking stations. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office will receive approximately $59,694 for approximately 30 body-worn camera systems and six body-worn camera docking stations. These funds were provided by the Attorney General’s Capture an Account of a Material Situation (CAMS) program, which is awarding 13 law enforcement agencies around the state with more than $1 million to purchase 891 body-worn cameras and 321 body-worn camera systems through the CAMS program.

“Body-cameras are commonsense tools that protect both civilians and law enforcement,” said Attorney General Letitia James. “They are critical for transparency and accountability, but too often law enforcement agencies do not have the resources needed to outfit their officers. These funds will go a long way in increasing public safety and I am proud to play a role in protecting communities in Rochester and across Monroe County.”

The CAMS program, which was launched in July 2018 and is funded with money recovered from organized crime takedowns carried out by the Attorney General’s Office, provides body-worn cameras and body-worn camera systems to local law enforcement agencies. Body-worn cameras create independent accounts of encounters between police and the public, increasing transparency and accountability and often providing critical evidence in investigations.

In addition to the Rochester Police Department and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, funds have been or will be provided to:

  • Albany County Sheriff’s Office 
  • Amherst Police Department 
  • Buffalo Police Department 
  • Niagara Falls Police Department 
  • Suffolk County Police Department 
  • Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office 
  • Syracuse Police Department 
  • Troy Police Department 
  • Utica Police Department 
  • Ulster County Sheriff’s Office 
  • Westchester County Department of Public Safety  

“Day in and day out, our brave law enforcement officers work tirelessly to keep our community safe—and it is our responsibility to ensure they have the resources and support to do that effectively,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “Body-worn cameras are a critical tool not only to increase transparency and accountability but to strengthen the trust and partnership between police and citizens. I am grateful to Attorney General Tish James for her advocacy in securing these cameras and for her unwavering support of our community.”

“Body worn cameras are a critical tool in our community policing efforts and increase trust between our officers and the residents they protect and serve,” said Rochester Mayor Lovely A. Warren. “I want to thank the Attorney General for helping us in this vital effort that ultimately enhances the safety of our community. Attorney General James is a true partner in our work to create more jobs, safer and more vibrant neighborhoods, and better educational opportunities for our citizens.”

"I'm grateful for the Attorney General's ongoing support for local law enforcement agencies, using funds seized from organized crime to provide them with vital equipment," said Monroe County Clerk Adam Bello. "These body cameras will help increase transparency and accountability for everyone in our community."

"I am glad to see money seized from organized crime put to good use by Attorney General James to help our local law enforcement agencies,” said Senator Rich Funke. “The Rochester Police Department and the Monroe County Sheriff's Department do a stellar job for our community and the availability of body cameras for officers will help to keep them safer and confirm the professionalism they exemplify day in and day out."

“I want to applaud Attorney General James for her commitment to our community with this funding,” said Assemblymember Harry Bronson. “The Attorney General’s investment into this technology is will benefit the citizens of Monroe County and will offer new protections for our families.”

“As we continue to make strides to improve community policing efforts, it is vital that we provide law enforcement with the tools and resources they need in the field,” said Assemblymember Jamie Romeo. “I want to thank Attorney General Letitia James for her support and dedication to protect both our officers and the citizens they serve. Together, we can continue to work towards a safer and more just state and county.” 

“The Monroe County Sheriff's Office has been awarded a generous CAMS Program grant from the New York State Attorney General's Office,” said Monroe County Sheriff Todd K. Baxter. “This award will provide much needed funding for the Sheriff's Office to purchase additional body cameras for use by members of the Sheriff's Office Police Bureau. These additional cameras will allow the Sheriff's Office to continue to build positive relationships between law enforcement and the communities which they serve and protect. This technology will also benefit the community by aiding in evidence gathering during criminal investigations. In addition, they will help deputies by providing information to improve training and provide transparency.  The Monroe County Sheriff's Office looks forward to working with the New York State Attorney General's Office to implement this CAMS Program.” 

“I would like to thank the New York Attorney General’s Office for the award of this important CAMS program funding to the Rochester Police Department,” said Rochester Police Department Chief LaRon Singletary. “These dollars will enhance our body-worn camera program ensuring we can provide highest level of service to the citizens of Rochester.”