Berkeley County accepts $625,000 COPS grant to fund five deputy positions over three years

The Berkeley County Commission voted to accept a FY25 COPS Hiring Program award that will fund five full‑time deputy positions over three years. The grant's total project cost is $1,294,735; the federal portion is $625,000 and the required local match is $669,735.

Elizabeth Lapczyk, who presented the award to the commission, summarized the grant: “The total project cost is 1,294,735, and the federal amount is 625,000 with a local match of 669,735 to fund 5 new deputy positions full time. Over 3 years.” She said the federal funding covers up to $125,000 per deputy per year for the grant period and that the county match rate is 75/25 split as packaged in the award.

Commissioners welcomed the additional positions but noted the grant does not pay for the full lifecycle cost of adding deputies. One commissioner observed that equipment, cruisers and other support costs for five deputies would add substantially to the county’s obligations, estimating another $600,000–$700,000 in equipment and vehicle costs over time. County staff said impact fees and routine budget planning would be used to cover equipment and ongoing salary costs after the grant period.

County officials thanked grant-writing staff and sheriff's office personnel for coordinating the application and noted prior successful federal awards for firefighters and law enforcement.

A motion to accept the grant award was moved, seconded, and approved by voice vote. Commissioners instructed staff to include the match and operational costs in upcoming budget planning and to return with any necessary appropriation requests tied to equipment purchases or staffing implementation.

The acceptance enables the sheriff’s office to begin hiring under the grant’s timeline and to plan for onboarding and equipment purchases to support the five new full‑time deputies.