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Eustis police chief seeks COPS grant to fund three officer positions; commission gives go‑ahead
Summary
Police Chief Craig Capri asked the commission to approve applying for the Department of Justice COPS grant to fund up to three sworn positions for three years; commissioners signaled support to proceed with the application.
Police Chief Craig Capri asked the City Commission on June 5 for permission to apply for the federal COPS Hiring Program, which would fund sworn officer positions for up to three years.
Capri told the commission the grant window closes June 20 and that COPS funds would pay full salary and benefits for awarded positions for the grant period. “We would be able to get positions funded, fully funded for up to three years,” Capri said, adding that the department would need to absorb the positions into the city budget after the grant period ends.
Capri proposed applying for three positions to help grow the department’s staffing toward a longer-term target he described as about 50 sworn officers plus the chief. He said the city’s call volume on the north end of Lake County is high compared with other municipalities and that the additional officers would support public safety and response times.
Commissioners and staff discussed timing and retention: several members said the city has historically used similar grants but has been cautious about bringing on staff the city might not be able to retain after grant funding ends. Capri and other commissioners noted the city has been investing in pay and recruiting to improve retention.
There was no formal roll-call motion recorded in the transcript; commissioners gave unanimous verbal support and directed staff to submit the application before the June 20 deadline.
