Grant Program Supports Body-Worn Cameras for Small and Rural Law Enforcement Agencies

Body-worn cameras (BWCs) have become a cornerstone and useful tool of modern law enforcement with an estimated 80% of police officers using BWCs nationwide to enhance transparency with their communities and to document crime scenes and citizen encounters.  

The Small, Rural, and Tribal Body-Worn Camera (SRT BWC) Grant Program opened for new applications on Jan. 26 and the deadline to apply is March 12. Apply for the SRT BWC grant and watch an introductory video to the program.

The SRT BWC program provides funding for body-worn cameras to:

• Law enforcement agencies with 50 or fewer full-time sworn personnel
• Rural agencies located in non-urban or non-metro counties
• Federally recognized tribal law enforcement agencies

Funds may be used to purchase or lease body-worn cameras and to cover expenses reasonably related to implementing a comprehensive BWC program. Grants may support pilot programs, new implementation, or expansion of existing programs.

Grant funds may not be used for BWCs purchased prior to Jan. 1, 2026. A one-to-one match is required and may include in-kind contributions.

The program is administered by Justice & Security Strategies Inc. through a cooperative agreement with the Bureau of Justice Assistance. 

Research shows high-performing agencies use body-worn cameras 

The League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust recently completed the fourth year of the iMPACT Project, a research study that utilizes predictive analysis to identify key risk factors facing Minnesota law enforcement agencies and to provide evidence-based recommendations for approaches to address these risks.  

One of the findings of the research addressed body-worn cameras and how the data was being used to successfully reduce risks. The research showed a correlation to a reduction in both liability and worker’s compensation claims for agencies that have established a BWC program and a process for reviewing BWC data to provide direct feedback to officers. Quite simply, the evidence-based benefits of BWCs to reduce liability risk is centered around how agencies use that footage to learn, train, commend, and develop their officers through an after-action review process.  

League website offers additional resources related to body-worn cameras

The League offers free resources on the use of body-worn cameras, including a model policy, to help cities administer BWC programs and handle the subsequent data soundly and in accordance with Minnesota law. 

Additionally, the League’s Grant Navigator program can assist cities with the costs involved in applying for a grant. Grant Navigator helps cities understand, identify, and apply for grant funding for city projects, including BWC programs. Under the program, the League may provide funding up to $5,000 per city to cover grant research and writing expenses using consultants necessary to prepare the grant application. 

Questions?

I am available to answer any questions or address any concerns about your BWC program and this grant opportunity. Contact me at 763-232-5328 or tstille@lmc.org.

Stay Safe,

Tracy

Clean Slate Act-related Records Expungements Underway

The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has expunged (sealed) more than 75,000 records in the state's Criminal History System (CHS) following Minnesota Judicial Branch review in compliance with the Clean Slate Act, under MN Statute 609A.015.

These records now appear in the Clean Slate Expungement Report, a by-agency list of Clean Slate Act-expunged records in CHS. The report serves as notice to your agency that expungement relief was granted.

The work on approximately 2 million additional qualifying records is underway. Those approved for expungement – both past and future records – will be added to the Clean Slate Expungement Report as expungements occur.

How does the Clean Slate Act affect local agency records?

The Clean Slate Act requires automatic expungement (sealing) of certain records from a person's BCA criminal history that in the past would require the person to petition the court for an order expunging the record. Local agencies are not required to expunge records within their own systems. However, agencies should refer to the Clean Slate Expungement Report in CHS prior to releasing any records to ensure records contained in the report are not released.

It is important to review the Clean Slate Expungement Report because the report contains all levels of offenses that have been expunged, including petty misdemeanor and misdemeanor records that are not available through running a CHS report.  

Because these expungements apply to both prior and future records, agencies should now begin including a check of the Clean Slate Expungement Report in CHS as part of your data practices processes on an ongoing basis.

Training available

Training on how to access the Clean Slate Expungement Report in CHS is available on the BCA Launch Pad within the NexTEST training library.

Additionally, a new Expungement Manual for law enforcement leaders, city attorneys, and staff covering Minnesota Criminal Expungement matters was recently published by Richard Hodsdon, general counsel for the Minnesota Sheriff’s Association (MSA). MSA also plans to offer quarterly training in 2026, with the first training session scheduled for Jan. 27.

Questions?

Questions can be directed to Jill Oliveira, public information officer, Minnesota Department of Public Safety at 651-793-2726 or jill.oliveira@state.mn.us.

Stay Safe,

Tracy

Cybersecurity Pitfalls for Police Officers on Mobile Devices

Guest post by Christian Torkelson, LMCIT cybersecurity loss control field consultant, and Garrett Johnson, LMCIT loss control consultant

Police work is fast, demanding, and always on the move. Mobile phones and tablets make it easier to stay connected in the field, but with convenience comes risk. Hackers know officers are busy, rely on email and file sharing, and trust each other. That makes law enforcement a tempting target. Here are some common cybersecurity pitfalls to watch for.

1. Rushed Decisions on Email and Messages

The fast pace of calls and reports leaves little time to study every email or text. Attackers count on this. They send messages that look urgent or official, hoping you’ll click a bad link or download an infected file without thinking twice.

Tip: Slow down before clicking. Even a 10-second pause to check the details can save hours of cleanup later.

2. Small Screens Hide Big Details

Most mobile email apps only display the sender’s name by default, not the full email address. Hackers can type any name they want, such as “Chief Johnson” or “Court Admin.” Unless you click on the name to expand it, you won’t see the real sender address.

Tip: Always expand and check the full address before trusting an email. Don’t assume the displayed name is genuine.

3. Collecting Evidence on Personal Phones

Phones are sometimes used to take photos, record videos, or send sensitive information. But if this happens on a personal device, the evidence is at risk. Pictures, attachments, and sensitive messages may sit in your inbox or photo roll long after you forget about them. If your phone is lost, stolen, or hacked, that evidence can be exposed. Likewise, any evidence retained in your email inbox could easily become a data breach if your email or Microsoft account was compromised. 

Tip: Lock down your device with strong passcodes or biometrics. Follow department policy for where and how evidence is stored. Clear sensitive material from your phone and email as soon as it’s properly uploaded or secured.

4. Trust Can Be Exploited

Police departments are close-knit, and officers often need to send each other information both within and across departments. Hackers know this. If one officer’s email account is hacked, the attacker often sends messages to everyone in their contact list. Because the emails come from a trusted colleague, others may open them without hesitation. This can lead to rolling attacks that spread across officers and departments.

Tip: If you ever suspect your account has been hacked, report it immediately. And if you receive an odd message from a fellow officer, verify it’s really them before responding.

Final Word

Your phone is a powerful tool, but also a target. By staying alert to these pitfalls, you can protect yourself, your colleagues, and your community. Cybersecurity doesn’t mean slowing down the job. It means taking small, smart steps to keep control of the tools you rely on every day.