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ACCEPTANCE OF 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), APPROVAL OF CONTRACT K-1819-42, AND BUDGET APPROPRIATION FROM THE GRANT REVENUE ACCOUNT.
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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. 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: Contract K-1718-48 was previously approved which authorized the Norman Police Department to submit an application for the U.S. Department of Justice, fiscal year 2017 Edward Byrne memorial Justice assistance grant. The department received notice of the award for this grant (Award No. 2017-DJ-BX-0806) on June 27, 2018. As described in the previous request, 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.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that funds be deposited into JAG Grant Revenue (account 022-0000-331.13-33) and those funds appropriated into and expended from the following accounts:
Employee Training / Workshops and Seminars (account 022-6017-421.46-04; project GP0031) - $11,758;
Miscellaneous Services/Pass-Thru Refunds (account 022-6017-421.47-54; project GP0031 - $1,306 for distribution to Cleveland County.