DEPARTMENT: Police Department
DEPARTMENT HEAD: William P. McManus, Chief of Police
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing the submission of a grant application, on behalf of the City of San Antonio, and acceptance of funds upon award, for the Office of the Governor (OOG), Criminal Justice Division Justice (CJD), Rifle-Resistant Body Armor Grant Program for an amount not to exceed $1,500,000.00.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Texas Senate Bill 12 was passed during the 85th Legislative Regular Session in response to last year’s Dallas shooting of police officers. Governor Abbot signed Senate Bill 12 into law on May 27, 2017, authorizing the Criminal Justice Division (CJD) to create a grant program assisting Texas law enforcement agencies in the purchase of rifle-resistant body armor.
On July 7, 2017, The Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division (CJD), released the Funding Announcement for the Rifle-Resistant Body Armor Grant Program. The purpose of the program is to equip Texas law enforcement officers who are at risk with rifle-resistant body armor. Funds received from the grant will be used to purchase bullet-resistant personal body armor compliant with the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) standard rifle protection. The CJD anticipates up to $25 million may be funded for this program throughout the state of Texas.
As per the funding announcement released by the OOG/CJD the applicant for this grant must be the City of San Antonio (COSA). This application will be submitted on behalf of COSA and include funding for the SAPD, Park Police and Airport Police.
Funds for the project may only be used to purchase body armor, including bulletproof vests, ballistic plates, and plate carriers. There is no match requirement under this program. This is a 12 month project that must begin between January 1 and March 1, 2018. The final date to submit an application for the program is on September 6, 2017.
The dangers faced on a daily basis by officers can be unpredictable and threaten the safety and protection of our San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) officers. Wearing effective safety gear (i.e., rifle-resistant body armor) helps enhance safety when responding to calls for service. This grant will allow us to purchase two types of vests (Level III and IV) for frontline officers and tactical teams which include rifle-fire rated plates and their associated carriers.
Currently, our officers whose primary duties include patrol functions who are most likely to encounter rifle armed perpetrators are not equipped with rifle-resistant body armor.
To purchase rifle-resistant body armor for officers based on priority needs in the following order:
Patrol (including UEDI’s and SAFFE), SWAT (including K9), Street Crimes Unit, Undercover Operations (Narcotics, Repeat Offenders Program, etc.), Patrol Supervisors, Traffic and DWI, all other officers.
As required by the grant the Department will provide written policy on the use and care of rifle-resistant body armor purchased with grant funds prior to submitting the grant to CJD.
ISSUE:
The proposed ordinance continues the City Council’s policy of seeking financial assistance from outsides sources for law enforcement programs to increase officer safety and address criminal activity in the community.
ALTERNATIVES:
To not apply for the grant and continue operations as they are currently conducted by not providing rifle resistant body armor to SAPD personnel or providing General Fund monies to purchase rifle resistant body armor for SAPD personnel.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This grant authorizes the submission of an application, on behalf of the City of San Antonio, and acceptance of funds upon award, for the Office of the Governor (OOG), Criminal Justice Division Justice (CJD), Rifle-Resistant Body Armor Grant Program for an amount not to exceed $1,500,000.00. There is no cash or in-kind match required. Receipt of funds would have no impact on the City’s General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the City of San Antonio move forward in preparing and submitting this grant proposal to purchase rifle-fire rated body armor.