From
Fred Bates, Jr.
Title
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to apply for grant funds to; purchase body worn camera equipment, receive training and technical assistance, and implementation support from the United States Department of Justice’s (U.S. DOJ) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) Body Worn Camera (BWC) pilot program administered by the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) in the amount of $104,391
Presenter
Steve Dye, Chief of Police
Recommended Action
Approve
Analysis
The Grand Prairie Police Department serves a City that is situated within an exponentially growing Dallas - Fort Worth region. The combination of urban, suburban, commercial, and industrial growth in this region necessitates a vibrant, progressive, and well-trained police department that understands and respects the cultural and demographic diversity of its citizens and visitors. The Police Department continues to seek ways in order to enhance its transparency, promote the mutual accountability of, and the public partnership between its officers and citizens.
Based on current research, including the recently released Interim Report of The President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing, police departments should be aware that “building trust and nurturing legitimacy on both sides of the police/citizen divide is not only the first pillar…, but also the foundational principle…” in the nature of law enforcement and community relations. The Grand Prairie Police Department has built and maintains this culture of transparency in its relationship with community leaders and the citizens it is charged with serving.
A strong recommendation that adheres to this policing philosophy is the expanded use of Mobile Audio / Video technology (MAV). The use of Body Worn Camera (BWC) technology is another tool to expand the Departments ability to enhance its ability to collect evidence, improve officer safety, and to strengthen the mutual accountability between officers and citizens.
This Department of Justice (DOJ) grant would allow the Police Department to purchase BWC equipment, receive training and technical assistance, and funding assistance and support to implement the (MAV) program throughout the department. In order to purchase 185 cameras (to equip all sworn officers who function in a uniformed enforcement capacity) and support technology, initial costs are projected to be $208,782.
175,380 - Equipment purchase includes cameras ($1,128 per) and data storage technology
30,000 - Training
3,402 - Mandatory Grant Meetings / Travel
208,782 - Total Project Cost
104,391 - Requested Federal funding
104,391 - City 50/50 cash match
The Finance and Government Committee reviewed this item on June 2, 2015, and recommended it be forwarded to the City Council for approval.
The Public Safety, Health and Environment Committee will review this item on June 3, 2015, which is the next scheduled meeting.
Financial Consideration
The total cost for the project is $208,782. The grant requires a 50/50 cash match. The Police Department will apply for $104,391 in federal funds, and must contribute a cash match for the same amount. Given the two-year term of the grant, the match would most likely be expended in equal amounts for each of the two years. Funding is available in the General Fund’s contingency.
Body
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, IN SUPPORT OF A GRANT FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE’S (DOJ) BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE (BJA) BODY WORN CAMERA (BWC) PILOT PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY THE OFFICE OF JUSTICE PROGRAMS (OJP) IN THE AMOUNT OF 104,391.
Whereas, the United States Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), Office of Justice Programs (OJP) is accepting grant applications for the Body Worn Camera (BWC) pilot program;
Whereas, the Grand Prairie Police Department wishes to apply for funding of the Body Worn Camera pilot program;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas that:
SECTION 1. the City of Grand Prairie is authorized to submit an application for a U.S. Department of Justice grant for the Body Worn Cameras (announcement number BJA-2015-4168).
SECTION 2. the City of Grand Prairie agrees to provide any applicable cash match;
SECTION 3. the City Manager of the City of Grand Prairie is empowered to accept, reject, alter or terminate this grant on behalf of the City Council;
SECTION 4. in the event of loss or misuse of U.S. DOJ funds, the City Council of the City of Grand Prairie assures that the funds will be returned to U.S. DOJ in full;
SECTION 5. this resolution shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and approval in accordance with the Charter of the City of Grand Prairie and it is accordingly so resolved.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE, TEXAS, ON THIS THE 2ND DAY OF JUNE, 2015.