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CONSIDERATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $71,000 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 NO. K-1415-44, AND BUDGET APPROPRIATION FROM THE DRE TRAINING ACCOUNT.
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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 $71,000 to host two statewide training classes 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, including officers from the Norman Police Department.
DISCUSSION The grant will fund the two training classes 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, 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 funds in the amount of $71,000 be deposited into DRE Training account (022-0000-331.13-30) and appropriated to Workshops and Seminars ($25,000, account 022-6037-421.46-04); Employee Training ($46,000, account 022-6037-421.30-13).