Today, Assemblymember Monica Wallace (D-Lancaster) announced the Lancaster Police Department has received body-worn cameras for every officer thanks to $96,000 in state funding that she helped secure.

Assemblymember Wallace advocated for and helped pass a $10 million fund for municipal police departments to purchase body cameras. With Assemblymember Wallace’s support, the Lancaster Police Department was awarded this funding after previously preparing a reform plan that identified increased transparency as a central goal and called for the use of body cameras by all LPD officers.

“I’m pleased to have secured state funding to improve trust and accountability in local law enforcement and alleviate the impact on local taxpayers,” said Assemblymember Wallace. “Body cameras improve transparency in police interactions with the public and provide valuable evidence when there are allegations of wrongdoing. I commend the Lancaster Police Department for identifying the acquisition of body cameras as a central goal, and I’m pleased to have passed this critical funding source for local law enforcement.”

“The implementation of the body worn camera program will improve the Lancaster Police Department’s transparency and strengthen the trust between our department and the Lancaster community,” said Lancaster Police Department Captain Jeffrey Smith. “The Lancaster Police Department appreciates the assistance from Assemblymember Wallace in securing funding to make body cameras for our officers possible.”

Assemblymember Wallace has prioritized securing resources for local first responders, including providing LPD with funding for ballistic helmets, a speed trailer, upgraded fingerprint collection technology, and an automated external defibrillator in every patrol vehicle. She has also secured funding for body cameras for the Depew Police Department, technology to help the Cheektowaga Police Department screen individuals for substance abuse disorder and link them to treatment, and equipment for local fire departments.