DATE:
September 20, 2022
TO:
Adam Politzer, Interim City Manager
FROM:
Office of the Chief of Police
SUBJECT:
Resolution Of The City Council Authorizing The City Manager To Accept A Grant Award On Behalf Of The Police Department, From The FY2022 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) In The Amount Of $10,191.60 For Funds Related To Conducted Energy Devices.
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council of the City of Emeryville adopt the above-entitled resolution approving the grant award funding from the FY2021 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) in the amount of $10,191.60 for up to six Conducted Energy Devices (Tasers). The Police Department was awarded this grant funding from the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office who administers the JAG grant program. The equipment requested would be used by the patrol staff to increase officer safety, have less lethal options when encountering potentially volatile incidents/people, and have the ability to de-escalate incidents.
Background
The JAG program is an annual pass-through grant from the federal government. Alameda County Sheriff’s Office manages the grant and disperses funding to municipalities in Alameda County for equipment, training, and resources as needed. The Police Department applied for and was granted $10,191.60 in funding for up to six new conducted energy devices, commonly referred to as Tasers.
The Police Department has had Tasers for approximately 10 years and has been able to provide officers with this vital piece of equipment consistently throughout these fiscally challenging times. As many of the City Departments face budget challenges because of the COVID pandemic, the Police Department believes this grant funding would be best used for purchasing new Taser devices. Some of the Taser devices being used by the patrol staff are more than seven years old and need replacement. Generally, the company who manufactures Tasers, Axon Inc., recommends Tasers be replaced after five years.
While officers rarely use Taser devices in the field, on rare occasions the device could be used to de-escalate a situation and it is a best practice to provide officers with this option. The Police Department has a current policy on the use of the conducted energy device and has three in-house trainers who provide new officer and annual training to all sworn staff. This excellent resource, current policy, and expert training show how committed the Police Department is to not only providing our officers with safe effective equipment for intervention but how disciplined our officers are at managing the use of this tool.
The grant period is July 1, 2022, through September 30, 2025.
Discussion
The benefits of accepting this grant award will directly impact safety in our City. The conducted energy devices will provide officers with another tool to deescalate and resolve potentially violent situations without having to resort to higher levels of force. The equipment will also provide the Police Department with the ability to keep our officers properly equipped, particularly during these financially challenging times.
Like all tools and technologies available to law enforcement, the Taser devices must also be carefully managed, and staff needs to ensure properly training. As noted above, the Police Department has a rigorous training program for our staff and have a current Department policy on the conducted energy devices used by staff.
Fiscal Impact
The fiscal impact to the City will be the initial expenditure of costs associated with the purchase of the proposed equipment. However, since the FY2022 JAG grant operates through a reimbursement process, there will be no real impact to the budget. Some officer staff time will be required to administer the awarded grant, but this staff time will be considered part of their normal duties. It is anticipated the initial expenditure for the equipment will come from the FY22/23 budget and the reimbursements will be received during the same fiscal year in grant fund 254. The grant was not included in the adopted budget of FY22/A23, it is necessary to increase the revenue 254-51400 and expenditure 254-91510 for the awarded grant amount.
Staff Communication with the Public
As of this time there has been no communication with the public as the grant award funding.
Conflict of Interest
None.
Conclusion
This program offers a great opportunity for the City of Emeryville, the Emeryville Police Department and to the Emeryville community. Staff recommends accepting the grant award to enhance our community safety capabilities within our community.
PREPARED BY: Jeff Jennings, Chief of Police
By: Oliver Collins, Captain
APPROVED AND FORWARDED TO THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EMERYVILLE:
Adam Politzer, Interim City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
Draft Resolution
Grant Award Letter
FY2022 JAG Grant Proposal
| September 20, 2022
City of Emeryville
CALIFORNIA
MEMORANDUM