A total of 20 law enforcement agencies will receive a
total of $508,492 to purchase equipment enabling them to video record
criminal interrogations. Half of the funding will be provided by
District Attorney Vance's Office from criminal asset forfeiture funds
obtained through settlements with international banks for violating U.S.
sanctions. Funding will be matched by federal funds administered by the
New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services.
"This equipment will aid law enforcement
agencies across New York in helping to ensure justice is served, the
rights of individuals are preserved and officers are protected," Governor Cuomo said.
"Through this collaborative effort we are taking action to increase
confidence in the criminal justice system and making this a more fair
New York for all."
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. said,
"We are excited to use criminal forfeiture funds seized through my
Office's financial crime prosecutions to help equip our law enforcement
partners across New York State. Recording interrogations enhances
integrity, fairness, and effectiveness in the criminal justice system –
which is why stakeholders ranging from police groups to the Innocence
Project have endorsed its expanded use. I thank Governor Cuomo and our
friends at DCJS for their collaboration and commitment to investing in
New York’s public safety infrastructure."
Police departments, sheriff and district
attorney's offices will use the grants to purchase and install video
recording equipment for the first time, increase the number of rooms
available to record statements at an agency, and add data storage
capacity for existing equipment. With this funding, New York State has
provided more than $3.5 million to police and prosecutors to support
video recording, which is widely recognized as improving the fairness
and effectiveness of the criminal justice system.
DCJS Executive Deputy Commissioner and former Monroe County District Attorney Michael C. Green said,
"Clear video footage taken during an interrogation can help prevent a
wrongful conviction or protect investigators from false accusations.
These grants will enhance law enforcement's ability to solve crimes, but
also prevent wrongful convictions and protect departments from the
frivolous civil law suits that arise from unfounded claims of
misconduct."
Priority was given to agencies that did not
apply for, or receive funding in 2013, the last time grants were
available. Eligible agencies included all police departments, sheriff’s
offices and district attorney’s offices located outside of New York
City. All 62 counties in New York have at least one law enforcement
agency with the technology to video record interrogation interviews.
The following agencies will receive grants:
Long Island: Long Beach Police Department: $9,169, Nassau County Police Department: $205,233
Mid-Hudson: Clarkstown Police Department: $23,252, Carmel Police Department: $4,849, Mount Vernon Police Department: $19,973, White Plains Department of Public Safety: $1,627, Orange County District Attorney’s Office: $50,967, Poughkeepsie (Town) Police Department: $9,744, Saugerties Police Department: $5,097, Chester (Town) Police Department: $15,384
Capital Region: Troy Police Department: $11,160, Warren County Sheriff’s Office: $4,994
Central New York: Madison County Sheriff’s Office: $12,736, Cayuga County District Attorney’s Office: $5,204,
Finger Lakes: Rochester Police Department: $55,751
Western New York: Buffalo Police Department: $22,811,Tonawanda Police Department: $8,870, Wyoming County District Attorney’s Office: $24,677, Allegany County District Attorney’s Office: $12,000, Blasdell Police Department: $4,994
Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
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