Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Equipment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves $212,000 police equipment purchase; funding comes from CIP and federal JAG grant
Summary
The Wichita City Council approved purchase of replacement helmets, ballistic shields, and communications equipment for the police department. Funding sources cited by staff included an existing protective‑equipment CIP, a radio CIP, and federal Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) funds for shields.
The Wichita City Council approved on consent a purchase request for police protective and communications equipment that staff characterized as replacements for items past their useful life. The equipment purchase—totaling roughly $212,000 in line‑item requests presented to council—includes ballistic helmets, ballistic shields, and radio/communications gear.
Why it matters: City staff said the items are replacements for ballistic‑rated gear and communications equipment that reaches a service life and needs to be cycled out for officer safety. Council members and the mayor emphasized that officer safety is a high priority.
Funding and procurement details: Captain Jason Cooley of the Wichita Police Department told council that helmets would be paid from a previously approved $100,000 protective‑equipment CIP, communications equipment would be paid from a $600,000 radio CIP, and ballistic shields would be purchased with Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) federal funds. Cooley said the department is also drawing down previously awarded JAG funds from earlier grant years as part of equipment replacement.
Public comment and council discussion: Faith Martin (resident, District 2) asked whether the full $212,000 would come from the JAG grant and whether the equipment had been included in prior budgets; Cooley clarified the split across the CIP and grant sources. Council members noted the recent law‑enforcement memorial and said the item was about protecting officers who respond to active‑shooter incidents. Council member Hoheisel said those response capabilities were a top priority for the city.
Action: Council moved and seconded approval; the consent item passed unanimously.
