§ 42-161-3. Powers of attorney general and department of public safety — Establishment of grant
program.
(a) The director of the department of public safety is hereby authorized, within available
funds, to award grants and other forms of funding to facilitate the adoption of body-worn
cameras by Rhode Island police departments. The director of the department of public
safety may also coordinate state applications for federal funds available for body-worn
camera adoption.
(b) The director of the department of public safety may, in coordination with the department
of administration, facilitate
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§ 42-161-3. Powers of attorney general and department of public safety — Establishment of grant
program.
(a) The director of the department of public safety is hereby authorized, within available
funds, to award grants and other forms of funding to facilitate the adoption of body-worn
cameras by Rhode Island police departments. The director of the department of public
safety may also coordinate state applications for federal funds available for body-worn
camera adoption.
(b) The director of the department of public safety may, in coordination with the department
of administration, facilitate body-worn camera procurement by Rhode Island police
departments through state master price agreement contracts in accordance with § 37-2-56.
(c) The attorney general and the director of the department of public safety, in consultation
with the Rhode Island police chiefs' association, are responsible for developing statewide
policies, procedures, and guidelines for the use and operation of body-worn cameras.
(d) The attorney general and the director of the department of public safety, in consultation
with the Rhode Island police chiefs' association, may survey and assess police department
body-worn camera needs, evaluate body-worn camera solutions and budgetary costs, and
facilitate the provision of technical assistance for Rhode Island police departments
adopting body-worn cameras.
(e) All appropriations in support of provisions of this chapter shall be housed within
the department of public safety.
(f) No money appropriated in the state budget shall be awarded for Rhode Island police
department body-worn camera expenses incurred before or after the state-supported
implementation period.
(g) No money appropriated in the state budget shall be distributed for Rhode Island police
department body-worn camera expenses before rules and regulations are promulgated
pursuant to § 42-161-4.