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PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING APPLICATION FOR A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $13,064 TO THE CITY OF NORMAN AND CLEVELAND COUNTY FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE/BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE (DOJ/BJA) THROUGH THE EDWARD BYRNE MEMORIAL JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT (JAG) PROGRAM WITH NORMAN'S PORTION OF $11,758 TO BE USED BY THE NORMAN POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR FORENSIC TRAINING AND ASSOCIATED TRAVEL AND APPROVAL OF CONTRACT K-1718-48.
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BACKGROUND: The U.S. Department of Justice, fiscal year 2017 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, announced that grant funds are available to the City of Norman and Cleveland County in the amount of $13,064 (Application No. 2017-H2604-OK-DJ). These entities are considered disparate jurisdictions based on a U.S. Department of Justice formula that includes population crime statistics and other law enforcement related data. Norman’s share of the award is $11,758 with the remaining $1,306 passing through to Cleveland County.
DISCUSSION: It is the intention of the Norman Police Department to use their share of the award for the following purpose:
The Norman Police Department has committed itself to ensuring that only appropriately trained, certified and/or accredited personnel and units shall be authorized to conduct forensic analyses of potential evidence for criminal prosecution. In pursuit of this goal, the department is required to accredit and/or certify select personnel and units to ensure compliance with both established industry standards and mandated rules of evidence. With JAG funding our agency would be able to provide minimal continuing education for the Forensic Video Examiner, the Forensic Computer Analyst, and for the Forensic Technicians. Excess funding would provide initial and/or continuing education training for select Technical Investigators and Collision Investigation and Reconstruction Team members.
The remainder of the award would pass through to the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office for the following purpose:
The Sheriff’s Office also lacks funding for significant forensic training. With JAG funding their agency would be able to provide initial and/or continuing education for select personnel involved in providing forensic services.
A public hearing is required prior to the disbursement of grant funds. The Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office will make this solicitation, applicable Certifications and Assurances, Certification of Compliance with 8 U.S.C. § 1373 by the Chief Legal Officer of the Applicant Government, and the corresponding Interlocal agreement available for public review and comment at the next scheduled Commissioner’s meeting. Each person in attendance will receive a copy of the agenda and attachments and will be eligible to speak on any topic on that agenda. The County Commissioners will subsequently vote on acceptance of the grant.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff now recommends that a public hearing be conducted where each person in attendance receives a copy of the agenda and attachments and is eligible to speak about this topic as required prior to applying for the grant.