LAWRENCE COUNTY — Highlighting a critical need for modern equipment, Lawrence County Sheriff Greg Day appeared before the County Commissioners on Tuesday morning to request permission to apply for a specialized federal grant aimed at small law enforcement agencies.
The grant, offered through the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), specifically targets the Small, Rural, and Tribal Body-Worn Camera (SRT BWC) Program. If successful, the funding would allow the department to replace its current fleet of body cameras, which Sheriff Day described as being at the end of their operational life.
During the meeting, Sheriff Day was candid about the challenges his deputies face with their current gear.
“Our body cameras are outdated and it’s hard to find parts for them,” Day told the commissioners. “This worries me, having officers without cameras. It not only protects them, but the community.”
The Sheriff emphasized that body-worn cameras (BWCs) are no longer just an optional tool but a necessity for transparency, evidence collection, and officer safety. The current difficulty in sourcing replacement parts means that any camera failure could leave a deputy without a recording device for an extended period.
The SRT BWC program is highly specialized for agencies with 50 or fewer sworn officers. Key financial details include up to $2,000 per unit is available for the purchase or lease of cameras and docking stations.
The grant requires a 1:1 match, meaning the county must provide half of the total project cost. Sheriff Day noted that the department plans to cover the local match using funds generated from Sheriff’s Sales, ensuring that the project does not require additional taxpayer dollars from the county general fund.
While the grant offers a path to modernization, it is not guaranteed. The SRT BWC program is known to be highly competitive, with a current national application deadline of March 12, 2026.
If approved, Lawrence County would join a growing number of small agencies utilizing federal “micro-grants” to maintain high standards of digital evidence management. In addition to the hardware, the program provides technical support to help small agencies navigate the complex data storage and privacy policies required for a modern BWC program.
The commissioners approved the sheriff’s request. If the application is submitted by the March deadline, the department expects to hear a funding decision later this year.
As of this morning, the Lawrence County Jail reported a total of 72 inmates. The population consists of 59 males and 13 females, with the census including eight Department of Correction holds, one parole hold, and two Level 6 offenders.
