Department of Justice Awards Nearly $1 Million to Spokane County Sheriff’s Office to Implement New Technology and Improve Deputy Training

Spokane Washington - Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced a Department of Justice grant award for the Spokane County Sheriff's Office. The grant allocates $945,520 for a project to implement new technology to integrate body-worn camera data analysis in Spokane County Sheriff's Office's training programs.

Funding for the grant was awarded by Bureau of Justice Assistance Fiscal Year 2024 Body-Worn Camera Policy and Implementation Program to Support Law Enforcement Agencies.

The project description for the $945,520 grant awarded to Spokane County Sheriff's Office says the funds will be used to implement technology called "TrustStat". TrustStat will analyze body-worn camera video and identify key behaviors and language related to de-escalation, use of force, and other critical areas of deputy performance. The project will help the Spokane County Sheriff's Office to evaluate the effectiveness of deputies' training during three career learning phases: basic academy training, field training, and post-probation in-service training.

By using TrustStat to evaluate training outcomes and associated behavioral changes SCSO seeks to achieve increased public trust, increased frequency and effectiveness of de-escalation efforts, and a decrease in the frequency and severity of the use of force.

"The Spokane County Sheriff's Office is leading the way for law enforcement across the nation with this innovative project," said U.S. Attorney Waldref. "I commend the Sherriff's Office for seeking this Department of Justice grant award, and for implementing a project that uses cutting edge technology to support effective training to best serve and protect our community."

"I am excited about the body-worn camera analysis program we are implementing at the Spokane County Sheriff's Office," said Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels. "The funding from the Department of Justice will provide us with new technology and expertise, positioning us at the forefront of police training in the United States. Our citizens expect professionalism from their law enforcement, and this funding and technology will enable us to meet those expectations."

Additional information about grants and funding through the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs is available at https://www.ojp.gov.