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Sheriff seeks permission to apply for DOJ COPS grants for school resource officer and technology upgrades
Summary
Franklin County's sheriff asked the commission for permission to apply for two Department of Justice funding opportunities: a COPS hiring grant to fund a school resource officer with local match from MSAD 58, and a larger COPS technology/equipment NOFO to upgrade body cameras, CAD and related systems; commissioners granted permission to apply.
The Franklin County Sheriff's Office told the commissioners it would like permission to apply for two Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) funding opportunities announced in a recent NOFO release.
The first is a COPS hiring grant to help fund a school resource officer for MSAD 58; the grant would cover 75% of the salary with the school district expected to cover the 25% local match if the award is made. The sheriff said MSAD 58 has previously worked cooperatively with the county on similar arrangements and staff will seek the district's formal letter of support if the commission approves the application.
The second opportunity is a sweeping COPS Technology and Equipment NOFO (large federal funding pool referenced in the notice). The sheriff described areas that could qualify for funding including body‑worn cameras (WatchGuard systems), vehicle and dispatch cameras, CAD upgrades, laptops and software licensing, and said the county will seek clarification of program rules (the NOFO referenced congressional direct spending in some sections and the rules are evolving). The sheriff also noted that a major award would require administrative and audit capacity — an expense the county should plan to cover if awarded.
Commissioners granted permission for both applications and asked staff to follow up with details if an award is offered; the sheriff said he would return with the precise cost and match figures before the commission accepts any award.
Next steps: sheriff and staff will work with MSAD 58 on a letter of support for the SRO application, seek clarification of the COPS Technology NOFO rules and report to the commission if an award is offered.
