More than $1 million in grants from Tennessee’s Violent Crime Intervention Fund have enabled three Dickson County law enforcement agencies to equip officers with new computer systems, in-car camera systems, body cameras and TASERs.
Proposed by Gov. Bill Lee and funded by the Tennessee General Assembly in the state’s 2022-23 budget, the VCIF set aside $100 million for grants to local law enforcement agencies to implement evidence-based programs, technology and strategies that will reduce violent crimes in their communities.
Lt. Jessica Blackwell of the Dickson Police Department’s Special Services Division submitted proposals for formulative and collaborative grants that resulted in a combined $1,118,728 in grants awarded to the Dickson Police Department, White Bluff Police Department and the 23rd Judicial District Task Force.
The formulative grants were available to all law enforcement agencies based on the population they serve.
The Dickson Police Department received a VCIF formulative grant of $193,991 to purchase in-car computers, in-car printers, scanners and a portable training system.
The collaborative grants were awarded on a graded competitive application process.
The application filed by Blackwell resulted in a $924,737 grant to purchase new Axon in-car camera systems, body cameras and TASERs for the Dickson Police Department, White Bluff Police Department and 23rd Judicial District Task Force.
“The Dickson Police Department is grateful for the Violent Crime Intervention Fund grants that Gov. Lee provided to us this year,” said Seth Lyles, who has been named acting chief following the announcement of Chief Jeff Lewis’s pending retirement. “This funding allows us to purchase new in-car cameras, bodycams, computers, TASERs and a training simulator. Without this funding, it would have taken years to replace aging equipment that our officers are currently using. This much-needed equipment will be used to better train and protect our officers on a daily basis.
“I am also thankful for Lt. Jessica Blackwell. Her hard work and dedication played a big part in us getting the VCIF grants.”
The application for the competitive collaborative grant seeks to increase trust between law enforcement and the community and create a collaboration between agencies using Axon camera systems that will aid in the prosecution of violent crimes.
“The Dickson Police Department and its collaborators will have access to timely information on violent crime, which will improve implementation of prevention interventions that reduce violent crimes,” Blackwell explained. “The requested cameras and equipment also will support increased knowledge and education to both law enforcement officials and community members.”
The new body cameras and in-car cameras can provide video evidence that can be critical to successful prosecutions, protect law enforcement officers and provide transparency to better inform the public on critical responses. The new TASERs provide the officers with the latest non-lethal options in responding to violent situations.
“As progress is made in identifying and understanding the violent crime and overdose issues within the participating communities, and as a result prioritizes problems to address, it is imperative to have open communication and for each agency to have the opportunity to participate in problem-solving,” Blackwell said. “The ability to work with, collaborate on a deeper and targeted concern, and share information benefits all Dickson County citizens.”
The formulative grant will help the Dickson Police Department increase efficiency, improve communication, enhance safety and implement better record keeping with in-car computers, printers and scanners and a portable training system.
“VCIF funding will allow DPD to mitigate or eliminate daily challenges faced by officers,” explained Blackwell. “Specifically, the requested computers and in-car printers will allow officers to print citations in the vehicle, have legible documents, improve court proceedings, link data to the court system and other benefits.”
Computers, printers and scanners offer several benefits to officers in the field.
• Officers will be able to quickly access important information during citizen contacts such as criminal records, incident reports and maps to allow them to work and respond more efficiently;
• Officers can directly communicate with other officers as well as dispatchers more effectively, which can help coordinate efforts and respond to emergencies more quickly;
• Having a computer can help officers stay safe by allowing them to access information about potential dangers, such as the location of known gang members or sex offenders, while also reducing radio traffic, which creates free channel space for when officers need to communicate quickly; and
• Help officers keep track of daily activities and document important information, which is vital as officers will have to recall information from an incident when it comes time to testify in court. The data also can be used as a basis for predictive policing tactics and the development of hot spots or targeted patrols.
“Computers, in-vehicle camera systems and other equipment allow officers to work more efficiently and safely while providing better ways to collect evidence for cases, as well as investigations into an officer’s conduct,” Blackwell said.
“These grants have given our department and our collaborative agencies the benefit of adding and updating equipment without having to seek additional funding from the taxpayers,” said Lyles. “We very much appreciate the governor and our legislators for making the VCIF grants available to help us continue our efforts to serve and protect the citizens.”
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