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Council approves $310,000 buy of digital‑forensics tools after federal partners reduce support
Summary
The Public Safety Committee approved an ordinance authorizing purchase of digital forensics hardware and software (estimated $310,000) to allow Cleveland detectives to perform in‑house mobile and device data examinations after reduced federal support; committee added a notification requirement for cooperative purchases.
The Public Safety Committee voted to approve an ordinance authorizing the Department of Public Safety to buy digital‑forensics equipment and services for the Division of Police, after deputies said federal partners no longer provide sufficient support.
Deputy Chief Jared Shalot told the committee the digital forensics package — proprietary software, high‑performance forensic workstations and data storage — will let the city’s detectives process phones, computers and other seized devices in‑house rather than relying on federal agencies. He said the estimated cost is $310,000 and the purchase will be funded largely through a 2025 general obligation bond capital project with the remainder from city funds.
Council action: The committee approved an amendment requiring the director to file written notice with the clerk of council when purchases are made via cooperative procurement, and to list the estimated $310,000 in the ordinance. The amended ordinance passed in committee and was signed.
Why it matters: Local capacity to do digital forensics speeds investigations (for example, some Internet Crimes Against Children work) and reduces reliance on outside agencies; committee members asked for procurement and funding-code detail to be included with future notifications.
What remains: Staff said the equipment will be run by trained in‑house detectives; the department will provide the committee the cooperative‑purchase notice and the appropriation/subfund coding underlying the estimated cost.
The committee recorded the ordinance as approved as amended and instructed staff to provide the cooperative‑purchase details in writing.
