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Chandler staff brief council on $302,000 DPS grant to update forensic lab and support narcotics investigations
Summary
A city presenter described a $302,000 grant from the Arizona Department of Public Safety to buy forensic equipment — including a mass spectrometer — and to fund overtime; the presenter noted rising narcotics seizures and said grant funds must be used by June 30, 2027.
A presenter identified as the Chief told the council the city has been offered a $302,000 grant from the Arizona Department of Public Safety to fund forensic laboratory equipment and narcotics investigations. The presenter said the grant will cover about $227,000 of new equipment (including a mass spectrometer), plus roughly $75,000 to fund approximately 800 hours of overtime for narcotics detectives.
For context, the presenter said the narcotics unit’s seizures have risen in recent years: 1.7 million fentanyl pills in 2022; 1.8 million in 2023; and 2.4 million in 2024. He added the unit seized more than 40 pounds of cocaine, over 1,000 pounds of methamphetamine and 33 firearms during recent operations.
The presenter said the grant expires June 30, 2027, and staff will manage procurement and scheduling to ensure the funds are spent within the grant timeline. Council members asked whether the city must spend the money in that timeframe; staff replied yes and said these purchases would otherwise have come to council in a budget decision.
Next steps: staff will return with the formal resolution/consent item language for council approval as required.
