Title
Special Response Team Equipment Upgrades from Federal Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Trust Funds (NB)
Explanation
The Gainesville Police Department's Special Response Team is a highly trained and skilled tactical team resource utilized for team responses to non-routine situations, such as hostage, barricade and high risk occurrences. The Special Response Team utilizes special equipment and training in an attempt to lessen the risk of injury or death to team members, citizens and suspects during the performance of their duties. This request is to upgrade protective gear, communications equipment, and tactical medical equipment Due to the sensitive nature of the Special Response Team and the equipment utilized to carry out their duties, the information regarding the specific equipment is not included, however, is available at the Gainesville Police Department. The equipment will be purchased from several vendors. Only one vendor exceeds the $25,000 required City Commission approval amount.
Fiscal Note
Funds for this expenditure are available in the Federal Law Enforcement Contraband Forfeiture Trust Fund and is allowable per Federal 21 U.S.C. ยง 881, found in the U.S. Department of Justice "A Guide to Equitable Sharing of Federally Forfeited Property for State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies". The balance in the account is $2,650,821.18. Balance is adjusted to account for pending items.
Recommendation
The City Commission approve the appropriation and expenditure of a total amount not to exceed $55,000 from the Federal Law Enforcement Contraband Trust Fund, to various vendors and to Southern Precision Armory, Ft. Lauderdale Florida ($33,600.32), as a specified source, for law enforcement equipment upgrades.