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June 14, 2022
ITEM TITLE
Grant Award: Accept a Grant from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Program
Report Number: 22-0162
Location: No specific geographic location
Department: Police
Environmental Notice : The activity is not a "Project" as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution accepting $55,590 in grant funds from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and appropriating the funds to the Police Grants Section of the Federal Grants Fund for the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Program (4/5 Vote Required).
SUMMARY
The Police Department has been awarded grant funding from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Program. The goal of this program is to improve the quality, timeliness, and credibility of forensic science services over current operations.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Director of Development Services has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change in the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA.
Thus, no environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Not applicable.
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DISCUSSION
The Paul Coverdell Forensic Sciences Improvement Program, which is administered by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), provides federal funding to accredited crime laboratories throughout California. Coverdell funds can be used to provide education and training in both technical and personal skills to California’s forensic scientists to ensure that they can effectively perform their laboratory assignments. In order to receive these funds, the crime la boratories must verify their accreditation status with a Forensic Crime laboratory organization or appropriate certifying body. The crime laboratories must also certify that they have a plan in place to conduct an independent external investigation into a llegations of serious negligence or misconduct by laboratory employees or contractors.
The Police Department has been awarded $55,590 for the 2021 Coverdell Program, covering a grant period of April 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023. This funding will be used to provide training and equipment used by crime laboratory personnel. The education and training to crime laboratory personnel, involving disciplines of digital media and crime scenes, will ensure that they can effectively perform their assignments during crime scene callouts.
Additionally, the grant funding will cover the cost of three digital stereoscopes with high-resolution cameras for latent print examination, crime scene drone with accompanying mapping software, and a supercomputer to ensure newly acqu ired digital forensic equipment and software are functioning at its fullest capacity.
Furthermore, a camera kit for forensic services and a Ramsey box for digital evidence will be purchased. A Ramsey box is utilized in forensic analysis to protect evidence devices from being “wiped” prior to download.
Chula Vista Police Department’s Military Equipment Policy Regarding the crime scene drone, the Police Department plans to purchase a Skydio 2+ drone with accompanying mapping software and supercomputer to handle data. The crime scene mapping capabilities of the Skydio drone allow for a quick and efficient way to document a crime scene. Without the drone, a crime scene specialist must use a measuring tape that is considered an archaic form of mapping, which is both time consuming, generally not comprehensive, and potentially less accurate than other measuring techniques.
The Skydio 2+ drone is included in the equipment inventory of the Department’s Military Equipment Policy, designated as Number 714 in it s Department Policy Manual. The City Council unanimously approved this policy in Ordinance Number 3520, with first reading on April 26, 2022, second reading on May 3, 2022 and an effective date of June 3, 2022. In accordance with Assembly Bill (AB) 481 Funding Acquisition and Use of Military Equipment, an ordinance approving a military equipment policy is required before a law enforcement agency may use existing military equipment, as defined, or seek funding for or acquire new military equipment. This i s the Department’s first acquisition pursuant to the policy. Additionally, as required by the policy, the Department will include the crime scene drone in its annual report to Council in late spring/early summer 2023. The annual report will recap the prior year’s use and acquisition of military equipment for the City Council’s review for compliance with standards set forth in the policy and reauthorization of the policy. Operation of the new crime scene drone will be subject to State and Federal laws and the Department’s existing policies on drone use.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site-specific and consequently, the 500-foot rule found in California Code of Regulations Title 2, section 18702.2(a)(11), is not applicable to this decision for purposes of determining a disqualifying real property-related financial conflict of interest under the Political Reform Act (Cal. Gov't Code § 87100, et seq.).
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Staff is not independently aware, and has not been informed by any City Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
CURRENT-YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
Since the funds will be spent after July 1, 2022, there is no current-year fiscal impact.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this resolution will result in the acceptance and appropriation of $55,590 grant funding from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services for the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Program. This will increase the appropriations of the supplies and services category of the Police Grant section of t he Federal Grant Fund in the FY 202 2/2023 adopted budget. The table below outlines the spending plan for the Coverdell grant funds.
DESCRIPTION FY 2022/2023
Training Costs for Crime Lab Personnel $18,426
Stereoscopes with Digital Camera $17,500
Crime Scene Drone $2,169
Mapping Software $5,000
Computer & Monitors for Crime Scene Investigations $5,200 Camera Kit for Forensic Services $4,900
Ramsey Box for Digital Evidence $2,395
TOTAL COVERDELL FUNDING $55,590
Funding from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services will completely offset the cost of the Coverdell Forensic Improvement Program, resulting in no net fiscal impact.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
Staff Contact: Jonathan Alegre, Police Department
Captain Dan Peak, Police Department