NJ Attorney General Awards Body Cameras to Police Departments

WTXF - The acting attorney general of New Jersey has announced that the state is awarding $2.5 million for 176 police departments throughout the state in order to purchase body cameras for officers.

The funds, obtained through criminal forfeiture efforts, will buy more than 5,000 of the cameras. The availability was announced in July and police departments were then given a chance to apply for them.

"We clearly are leading the nation when it comes to our efforts in New Jersey to deploy body-worn cameras to promote transparency and mutual accountability of police and civilians," said Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said in a statement.

"The overwhelming response we received from law enforcement to our offer of funding demonstrates that police officers are embracing this technology to protect themselves, assist them in their work, and foster stronger police-community relations."

See the full list of departments here.