Council approves $500,000 COPS mental health grant; funding to support contracted clinicians, equipment and training

The Highland Park City Council on July 21 voted to accept and disburse a $500,000 fiscal-year 2023 Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Technology and Equipment Program invitational solicitation grant, approving a scope modification to emphasize mental-health response and related equipment.

Councilwoman Manuka moved to approve the resolution; the motion received support from the chair and passed on roll call.

What the grant will fund: Police staff and presenters described the approved budget as redirected to better fit Highland Park's needs. Council heard that the grant will support contracted, in-house licensed mental health clinicians provided through Detroit Wayne Integrated Health (DWIN); regularly scheduled community training; equipment purchases; a vehicle for clinician transport and follow-up; and less-lethal tools such as BOLA wraps and pepper-ball systems intended to give officers alternatives to firearms. The police brief said the grant also covers conference attendance and other training to keep the department current on crisis-intervention models.

Why the scope was modified: Council discussion explained that the original grant award model would have required hiring clinicians as city employees and creating supervisory structures the department could not sustain after grant expiration. Officer Monroe and police leadership said contracting clinicians through DWIN provides supervision, hiring expertise and program continuity without adding permanent city employees. The police representatives said the department based its approach on a scaled Memphis Crisis Intervention Team model and tailored it to Highland Park's size.

Council members asked for line-item clarity. Several members asked what the budget line labeled "other" covers; police staff said some line items fall under Department of Justice budget categories that group several allowable costs, and the grant application included further itemization of those categories. The council was told certain expenses, such as vouchers for food or transportation, are not eligible under this specific award.

Support and concerns: Supporters pointed to ongoing officer mental-health training already underway and to community training plans. A public commenter who identifies as a law-enforcement chaplain urged cooperation between officers and the community; the council's public-health and public-safety concerns were a frequent theme in the remarks. Some council members pressed staff to point out where the social-worker/counselor components are in the grant budget, and staff responded by identifying budget lines and explaining constraints from the Department of Justice.

Action and outcome: The resolution to approve and disburse the FY2023 COPS Technology and Equipment Program invitational solicitation grant (totaling $500,000) passed on roll-call vote. The council recorded a majority vote in favor and the motion carried.

Implementation notes: Staff said DWIN would serve as the contracting organization for clinicians and would handle recruitment and supervision. The department said it will purchase equipment, outfit a transport vehicle for clinician follow-up, and pursue community trainings and mental-health first-aid sessions. Police staff emphasized the need to spend allocated funds within time limits so the city does not forfeit future grant eligibility.

Ending: Council members and police staff framed the approved scope modification as a local adaptation intended to increase safety and provide clinically supervised crisis response without creating unsustainable city payroll obligations once federal funds end.