Title
COPS in Schools Grant
Explanation
The U. S. Department of Justice has announced funding available for hiring additional law enforcement officers to be used to combat school violence through the precepts of community policing. The Police Department wishes to apply for $375,000 to provide for the salary and benefits for three (3) additional officers over a three-year period. These officers will be deployed as School Resource Officers.
The City and the School Board intend that these officers be retained beyond the grant period. At the end of the grant, the School Board and the City will enter into an Interlocal Agreement providing for the agencies to work in partnership to provide a School Resource Officer program utilizing these officers.
Fiscal Note
The $375,000 in Federal funds will pay for 100% of three COPS In Schools officers' salaries and benefits over the three-year grant period. No grant match is required so long as the salary and benefits paid per officer do not exceed $125,000 over the three-year grant period. The School Board has agreed that, upon the ending of the grant, it will make a good faith effort to provide $25,000 per year thereafter for each School Resource Officer position requested under this grant.
Recommendation
The City Commission authorize the City Manager to: 1) apply for $375,000 in COPS In Schools grant funds, and upon award; 2) execute the grant award contract, pending approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality; 3) execute any additional documents that may be necessary; and 4) increase the sworn officer allocation to the Gainesville Police Department by three officers under the COPS In Schools Program.