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CONSIDERATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $67,000 FROM THE OKLAHOMA HIGHWAY SAFETY OFFICE TO BE USED TO HOST A STATEWIDE TRAINING CLASS FOR NORMAN POLICE OFFICERS TO BECOME DRUG RECOGNITION EXPERTS (DRE) AND ASSIST THE DRE SECTION OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE TO HOST THE INTERNATIONAL DRUG, ALCOHOL AND IMPAIRED DRIVING CONFERENCE IN OKLAHOMA, APPROVAL OF CONTRACT NO. K-1213-82, AND BUDGET APPROPRIATION.
ACTION NEEDED: Motion to accept or reject a grant in the amount of $67,000 from the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office; and, if accepted, approve Contract No. K-1213-82; authorize the execution thereof; increase Other Revenue, DRE Training (022-0000-331.13-30) by $67,000; and appropriate $67,000 from Special Revenue Fund Balance (022-0000-253.20-00) designating $29,000 to Professional Services/Workshops and Seminars (022-6037-421.46-04); $8,000 to Employee Training (022-6037-421.30-13); and $30,000 to Professional Services/Training and Development (022-6037-421.40-17).
ACTION TAKEN: ___________________________________
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BACKGROUND: The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office has informed the Norman Police Department that it has been awarded a grant in the amount of $67,000 to host a statewide training class for officers to become Drug Recognition Experts (DRE). This training will assist the officers and their departments in DUI enforcement across the State of Oklahoma. In addition, Oklahoma will be the host state for the International Drug, Alcohol and Impaired Driving Conference. The conference is conducted by the DRE Section of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and a portion of this grant will be utilized to assist with conducting the conference.
DESCRIPTION: The grant will fund the training class for all officers attending the training. Funds advanced by the City of Norman for the DRE class expenses will be fully reimbursed on a monthly report and reimbursement request basis from the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office. Acceptance of this grant will benefit our department because it will include funds for Norman Police Department officers to attend the initial DRE training without cost to the city. In past years, up to three of our officers have attended each training class at no cost.
In addition, funding has been provided for the DRE program in Oklahoma to assist the DRE Section of the International Association of Chiefs of Police in hosting the International Drug, Alcohol, and Impaired Driving Conference in Oklahoma. Funds advanced by the City of Norman to assist with the conference will also be fully reimbursed on a monthly report and reimbursement request basis from the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office. Assisting with the conference will benefit our department by having distinguished training locally which our DRE officers can attend with very little expense.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that City Council accept the grant, approve the contract, and funds in the amount of $67,000 be deposited into DRE Training account (022-0000-331.13-30). Staff also recommends $67,000 be appropriated from Special Revenue Fund Balance (022-0000-253.20-00) as follows: $29,000 to Workshops and Seminars account 022-6037-421.46-04; $8,000 to Employee Training account 022-6037-421.30-13; and $30,000 to Professional Services / Training and Development account 022-6037-421.40-17.