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November 8, 2022
ITEM TITLE
Grant Award: Accept a Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services for the Community Policing Development Microgrant
Report Number: 22-0292
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 $160,224 grant funds and appropriating the funds to the Police Grants Section of the Federal Grants Fund for the Community Policing Development Microgrant. (4/5 Vote Required)
SUMMARY
The Police Department has received notice of the 2022 Community Policing Development Microgrant award in the amount of $160,223.76 from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office o f Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS). These funds will be used to expand the Police Department’s community engagement efforts by providing comprehensive courses to the community.
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
On May 5, 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) announced funding for the COPS Office FY 2022 Community Policing Development (CPD) Microgrants program. CPD Microgrants funds are used to develop the capacity of law enforcement to implement community policing strategies by providing guidance on promising practices through the development and testing of innovative strategies; building knowledge about effective practices and outcomes; and supporting new, creative approaches to preventing crime and promoting safe communities.
The Police Department submitted a grant application on June 23, 2022 to enhance the following community engagement efforts.
Teen Academy & Citizens Academy
The Police Department currently runs a Teen Academy and a Citizens Academy once a year , both of which are always in high demand. There is a limited capacity due to classroom size and instructor availability, resulting in some applicants being turned away. In the current fiscal year, the Police Department would like to expand each of these academies to twice a year to a fford more community members an opportunity to participate.
Community Leader’s Academy
As a new concept, the Police Department would also like to create a con densed 1 or 2 day Community Leader’s Academy, which will focus on the primary community concerns with regards to law enforcement operations. This academy will allow the community to learn about police operations and demonstrate how public safety is our to p priority. The course’s curriculum will be designed for community leaders from the political, business, faith -based and neighborhood associations to help us maintain and strengthen our legitimacy, trust and open lines of communication.
Internship Program
Additionally, the grant funds will be used to enhance youth engagement efforts by creating an internship program that fulfills local high school and college internship program requirements. The Police Department currently does not have an intern program, but requests are regularly received for this type of program. The Police Department will work with local educational institutions to implement a weeklong internship program to showcase our agency’s internal operations with an emphasis on our mission, philosophy, legal authority and community partnerships to achieve our goals.
With the COPS grant funding, t hese enhancements will bolster the Police Department’s community engagement efforts and create a stronger bond between our organization and the community we serve.
Funds are mainly used for staff overtime ($157,024) to conduct the leadership academy, citizens academy, teen academy and internship program. $3,200 will be used for supplies to conduct the academies and internship program.
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
Approval of this resolution will result in the acceptance of $ 160,223.76 for the 202 2 Community Policing Development Microgrant from the U.S. Department of Justice, and a one-time appropriation of said funds to the Police Grants Section of the Federal Grants Fund. The funds from the U.S. Department of Justice will completely offset these costs, resulting in no fiscal impact to the General Fund.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
There is no ongoing fiscal impact for accepting these grant funds.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
Staff Contact: Jonathan Alegre, Police Department