Oak Ridge gets $2.5M in state funds for police bodycams
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Oak Ridge Police Department will soon be equipped with body-worn cameras, state lawmakers announced Wednesday.
State Rep. Rick Scarbrough and Lt. Governor Randy McNally, two Republicans representing Oak Ridge, secured $2.5 million in state funding for the initiative. The money was provided through Tennessee's Violent Crime Intervention Fund, which gives grants to local law enforcement agencies for various violent crime reduction efforts.
Deputy indicted in fatal Morgan County shooting previously sued over use of force as Oak Ridge police officer
Scarborough was elected to the Tennessee House last year after serving 23 years with the Clinton Police Department, including the last 16 years as Chief of Police. Both lawmakers hailed the funding as a critical tool to boost transparency and accountability for law enforcement.
'Body-worn cameras enhance transparency and accountability while strengthening trust between officers and the communities they serve,' Scarbrough said. 'As a former law enforcement officer, I understand how important it is to provide our officers the tools they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. I'm grateful to my colleagues in the General Assembly for recognizing this need and prioritizing public safety in this year's budget.'
The $2.5 million appropriation is part of the state's $59.8 billion budget passed by lawmakers in April.
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'This investment provides a vital tool to the Oak Ridge Police that builds trust, transparency and accountability in our public safety system,' McNally said. 'Body cameras protect our officers from false accusations, provide critical evidence in criminal cases and strengthen public confidence in our justice system. It's a common-sense investment in safer, more effective policing.'
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