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Ocean View authorizes police recruitment and COPS grant application to address upcoming retirements
Summary
Council authorized immediate recruitment for one police officer this fiscal year and approved applying in July for State of Delaware COPS grant funding to support two additional officers if awarded; staff said the COPS grant pays up to $175,000 per officer over three years.
The Ocean View Town Council authorized the town manager to begin immediate recruitment for one new police officer and approved applying in July for the State of Delaware COPS hiring grant to support two additional officers.
Town staff said the succession planning is needed to prepare for anticipated retirements among senior officers and to maintain training and staffing continuity; training and onboarding can take about a year. Staff recommended funding the immediate hire from unassigned fund balance and described the COPS grant as providing roughly $175,000 per officer paid over three years if awarded.
Police Chief Jake McLaughlin supported the recommendation and said the department has had success with prior COPS applications. Council members expressed support for moving quickly to recruit and apply for the grant; a motion to authorize the recruitment and grant application was seconded and approved by voice vote.
Staff noted that COPS grant awards would not supplant existing officer salaries and that any grant awards would require the town to include required balances in subsequent budgets if the full cost shifts to town funding after the grant period.
