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CONSIDERATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $54,000 FROM THE OKLAHOMA HIGHWAY SAFETY OFFICE TO BE USED TO HOST TWO STATEWIDE TRAINING CLASSES FOR NORMAN POLICE OFFICERS TO BECOME DRUG RECOGNITION EXPERTS (DRE), APPROVAL OF CONTRACT K-1718-66, AND BUDGET APPROPRIATION FROM THE SPECIAL GRANTS FUND BALANCE.
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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 $54,000 to coordinate and conduct training classes and certification sessions to train officers from various areas in the state to become Drug Recognition Experts (DRE). This training will assist the officers and their departments in Driving Under the Influence (DUI) enforcement across the State of Oklahoma, including officers from the Norman Police Department.
DISCUSSION: The grant will work to expand the DRE program by a minimum of 30 DREs through training and certification. Students will be selected from various parts of the state to provide the most beneficial coverage possible. Upon successful completion, students will be provided Portable Breath Testing (PBT) devices. PBT training will also be provided. A training class for additional DRE instructors will also be provided to facilitate further classroom instruction and training certification processes. The Drug Evaluation and Classification Course will be conducted as outlined by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The course is scheduled for April (2018) and will include a 2-day pre-school, a 7-day classroom session, and certification shifts.
The Norman Police Department, through the statewide DRE Coordinator, will plan, schedule and conduct a statewide DRE Conference that is tentatively targeted for February 2018. The DRE Coordinator will promote and market the DRE class, update and maintain DRE records, target areas of the state lacking DRE-trained officers, and evaluate courses to ensure consistency among instructors providing training.
Funds advanced by the City of Norman for the DRE 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 Police 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, we are able to update DRE-related equipment of some of our currently certified DRE officers.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that City Council accept the grant, approve the contract, and deposit funds in the amount of $54,000 into the Special Grants Fund, DRE Revenue account (022-0000-331.13-30) when received; and appropriate $12,000 from the Special Grants Fund Balance (account 022-0000-253.20-00) to Employee Travel/Workshops & Seminars (DRE account 022-6037-421.46-04) and $42,000 to General Supplies/Employee Training (DRE account 022-6037-421.30-13).