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Court approves application for Edward Byrne grant to fund constables’ body cameras; commissioners ask about jail camera plans
Summary
The Commissioners Court approved a resolution to apply for Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant funds to buy body-worn cameras for county constables and discussed whether a parallel program for sheriff’s detention officers should be covered by the same grant or a separate effort.
The Tarrant County Commissioners Court voted to submit a Fiscal Year 2026 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant application to the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division, to fund a body-worn camera program for the county’s constables (agenda item C10).
At the meeting, county staff said the constable offices provided a list of cameras and that the county would request roughly $154,000 for equipment this year. Staff explained that the award range and eligibility can vary and that, in prior cycles, funding was limited; the county declined last year because the state did not have sufficient funds. Officials said the application seeks funds for constables across multiple jurisdictions, which may allow a larger request within program rules.
Commissioners also asked whether the sheriff’s detention officers and jail staff are included. Staff said conversation and a separate request for cameras for detention staff has been under consideration, including a December RFI; the sheriff’s office was reviewing vendor responses. Staff cautioned about supplantation rules — if a program is already underway, some grant funds may be ineligible — and noted parts of the sheriff’s office may already be piloting body cameras.
County staff confirmed they will pursue the Edward Byrne grant for constables and said they have applied for similar funding in prior years. The court voted to approve the application; the transcript records approval by motion and second and a unanimous vote on the item at the meeting.
Why it matters: Body-worn cameras are a transparency and accountability tool for law-enforcement encounters. The county’s plan to seek Edward Byrne funding for constables could standardize camera coverage in multiple precincts; commissioners raised questions about whether detention officers in the jail should be equipped through a parallel program or a separate procurement and how supplanting rules would apply.
