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Law enforcement official asks council permission to apply for officer, vehicle and technology grants
Summary
A law enforcement official told the council the police department plans to apply for federal and state grants — including recruitment/hiring grants, a governor's safety program and a 24-month technology grant — that could subsidize new officer positions, vehicles and records/ camera systems.
A law enforcement official told the council on Feb. 28 that the police department is seeking permission to apply for several federal and state grant programs to expand staffing and update equipment.
The official described a stepped-match hiring grant that begins with a 25% local match the first year and phases up over several years, and said one program caps reimbursements at $125,000 per officer per year. "This is a 25% match from the city, and the 75%... not exceeding a $125,000 per officer per year," the official said. He asked the council to authorize applications for that program and similar opportunities.
Officials also described the Governor's Highway/House Safety Program (GHSP), which the presenter said opens in January and can include vehicle funding; he noted application windows for other grants commonly open in April or May and close in June. The presenter said county-level traffic data (he cited Columbus County) can be used as part of GHSP applications.
On technology, the official said there is a separate 24-month equipment grant with no local match that could cover records-management software, body or fixed cameras and other systems. "This is an opportunity for us to put in for what we're looking at for equipment and technology," he said, adding that such awards typically arrive in the October following application and may require reapplication the next year to continue funding.
The presenter made two process points for the council: the city would need to approve acceptance of any awarded funds and the grants generally cannot be used to fill existing positions — awards must fund new positions. "It just has to be a new position. It couldn't be an existing position per se," he said.
No formal vote was recorded during this portion of the meeting; the official requested permission to apply and said he would return to the council with full application details and, if awarded, the required acceptance paperwork for the city financial officer and council approval.
