CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The Clarksville Police Department (CPD) issued a survey to the public approximately three months ago to assess support for the purchase of body cameras.
According to results provided by CPD, a total of 803 people responded to the survey. Of those, 743 (92.53 percent) were in favor of the department using the cameras, and 60 (7.47 percent) were not in favor.
CPD has prepared a grant application to the U.S. Department of Justice to receive funds for the body-worn cameras.
Department spokesman Sgt. Charles Gill said funds will be released in stages based upon completion and compliance. This could possibly occur in mid-2018, according to Gill, but there is currently no exact timeline.
The grant would cover a term of two years and provide a 50/50 match to purchase a number of the cameras, data storage and related equipment. City officers currently do not use body cameras.
“We applied for a similar grant in 2015 and didn’t receive any funding,” Chief Ansley said in an earlier release. “The Department of Justice encouraged the City to improve its application.”
Last month, the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) also began exploring the idea of equipping its troopers with body cameras. THP will test out some equipment in April.