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Council backs police application for COPS Hiring Program grant
Summary
Police leaders told council they will apply for a COPS Hiring Program grant to fund a new officer; the grant could cover most wages and benefits with a waiver request, and council approved filing the application and to fund any local match in next year’s budget.
Rochester — Police leadership asked the council July 28 for permission to submit an application to the U.S. Department of Justice COPS Hiring Program (CHP) to fund an additional officer, and the council voted to proceed.
The police presenter summarized the CHP terms and said the department would seek a waiver to cover 75% of actual wages and benefits for three years, noting that without the waiver the maximum award is $125,000. “The wages and benefits for 1 officer is 94,000 a year,” the presenter said, explaining the department’s budget estimate for three years and the potential need to include the city’s share in next year’s budget. Council made a motion to approve submitting the application and voted in favor; staff were instructed to prepare budget adjustments contingent on award decisions expected in October.
Council members and staff discussed the grant’s focus areas and application deadline, and the presenter noted letters of support from the board of works, the sheriff’s office and the prosecutor’s office that will accompany the application.
