DEPARTMENT: Police
DEPARTMENT HEAD: William P. McManus, Chief of Police
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
An ordinance authorizing the submission of a grant application, and acceptance of funds upon award, not to exceed $3,125,000, from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing the submission of a grant application and acceptance of funds upon award, not to exceed $3,125,000, from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), for a Hiring Program grant, establishing a personnel complement and a budget, authorizing a General Fund contribution of $5,771,330 for the period October 2017 through September 2020 and $3,314,458 for the period October 2020 through September 2021 for a total General Fund contribution of $9,085,788, contingent upon budget approval.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The COPS Hiring Program (CHP) is funded by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), and funds salary and benefits approved by the COPS Office expenses over a three (3) year grant period. Under the updated CHP there is a maximum of $125,000 per officer over the 3 year period. There is a minimum 25% cash match required. Funds can begin to be expended as soon as notification is received. Part of the grant agreement is that the Department will retain officers hired under the grant for a minimum of 12 months after funding has ended.
This project will add up to 25 new police officer positions to the Department. Officers will be assigned as follows:
• Gang Violence Reduction Program
Fifteen officers will be assigned as a uniformed detail focused on reducing gang violence, to include providing uniformed support to the Texas Anti-Gang (TAG) Program which consists of personnel from various local, State and Federal law enforcement agencies working in coordination to identify and reduce gang activity which is a major catalyst for violent crime.
• Violent Crime Intelligence Program
Six officers will be assigned to perform information and intelligence gathering related to violent crime incidents within San Antonio. These officers will liaison with other SAPD operational details, area law enforcement partners, various community organizations, and other stakeholders to improve information and intelligence sharing related to violent crime prevention efforts.
• NIBIN Program
Four officers will be assigned to support evidence collection and investigative lead coordination resulting from NIBIN system submissions associated with violent crime. These officers will liaison with follow up units to ensure ballistic information related to violent crime incidents is processed in an efficient and effected manner.
The grant funds do not pay for equipment, overtime, and in the case of this Department, retiree's prepaid health insurance, and leave buyback. The grant period is estimated to begin in or around October 1, 2017 and run for a 3 year period ending around September 30, 2020. The actual award start date will be specified in the award letter if the City of San Antonio is awarded the grant. Matching funds will submitted as part of the FY 2018 Budget Process and acceptance of the grant will be contingent upon approval of the $9,085,788 grant match.
Prior to the 2009, the COPS grant funded various programs within the SAPD including the Universal Hiring Program in 1999, 2000, and 2001, the Police Hiring Supplement Grant and the Accelerated Hiring, Education and Development Grant (AHEAD).
In 2009, SAPD applied for and received $10.354M for the COPS Hiring Grant. These officers were assigned to the POP Unit and were used as a focused directed patrol unit that addressed specific areas based on need and in coordination with other city departments. The City match was $1,230,133.
In 2015, SAPD applied for $3.125M for 25 additional officers through the COPS hiring grant. The Department was awarded $500,000 for 4 officers. The application focused on the specific area of “Building Trust”. The four officers have been assigned to the IMPACT Team and work to address people and their families who are suffering from mental health issues and come in contact with police. The City’s match was $1,153,782. In 2016, SAPD applied for the COPS grant but was not awarded any funding.
ISSUE:
The proposed ordinance continues the City Council's policy of applying for financial assistance from outside sources for law enforcement programs addressing criminal activity in the community, and it continues the enhancement of community policing.
ALTERNATIVES:
Other than the General Fund, there is no alternative funding source. City Council may choose not to accept this grant. However, choosing not to approve this grant will result in the City losing up to $3,125,000 for addressing community oriented policing activities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the submission of a grant application and acceptance of funds upon award, not to exceed $3,125,000, from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS). The estimated cost for this grant is $12,210,788 of which the City will contribute $9,085,788 from the General Fund over four years, contingent upon budget approval. This grant requires the City to fund a portion of the grant for the three year period and requires the City to fully fund the officers for a fourth year. Of the $9,085,788, the estimated cost for FY 2018 is $1,277,289, $2,075,612 for FY 2019, $2,418,428 for FY 2020, and $3,314,458 for FY 2021.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the submission, and if awarded the acceptance, of the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Hiring Grant.