June 23, 2026
Police Department
DATE: June 23, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Timothy Simmons, Chief of Police
Subject:
Accept the 2024 Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed $73,227 expenditure is funded by the 2024 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG).
The budget for the Police Department will be increased
by $73,227, and the Police Department’s JAG revenue
account will be increased by $73,227. After the
five-percent administrative fee of $3,661.35 is withheld by the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, the total
reimbursable amount available to the City is $69,565.65.
There is no net change to the overall City budget
(Account String: 10691021-400603).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The City of Richmond Police Department was awarded
the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant
(JAG) 2024 by the Office of Justice Programs managed
by the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office. Department staff are requesting City Council approval to accept and appropriate $73,227, less a five percent administrative fee, withheld by the Contra Costa County Office of the
Sheriff ($3,661.35) for a total reimbursable amount of
$69,565.65 for the purchase of police safety
equipment.
AGENDA
REPORT
June 23, 2026
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution to ACCEPT and APPROPRIATE
funding in the amount of $73,227, less a five percent
administrative fee, for a total reimbursable amount of
$69,565.65, from the 2024 Edward Byrne Memorial
Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program for the
purchase of police safety equipment, and AUTHORIZE
the city manager, or their designee, to execute the grant agreement and all necessary documents to facilitate
reporting and reimbursement – Police Department (Chief
Timothy Simmons 510-621-1802).
DISCUSSION:
The Federal government has made funds available to local law enforcement agencies under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program was established in memory of New York Police Department Officer Edward “Eddie” Byrne, who was tragically killed in 1988 while protecting a witness in a drug-related case. His death galvanized national efforts to support local law enforcement and criminal justice systems. The JAG Program was created through the Anti-Drug Abuse Acts of 1986 and 1988 and is now the leading federal funding source for state and local criminal justice initiatives.
Administered by the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the JAG Program supports a wide range of activities, including law enforcement operations, prosecution, crime prevention, mental health services, and improvements in technology. It is authorized under Title I of Public Law 90–351, codified at 34 U.S.C. §§ 10151–10726.
The Contra Costa County Sherrif’s Office (CCCSO) applied for and was awarded the initial JAG award, which was then divided between the CCCSO and the participating Contra Costa cities of Antioch, Concord, and Richmond. The City of Richmond has been awarded $73,227 in reimbursable JAG funds less a five-percent administrative fee ($3,661.35) deducted for grant management by CCCSO for a total City reimbursable amount is $69,565.65. The awards are formula-based and non-competitive, allocated based on crime statistics and population data.
CCCSO oversees the grant for the participating jurisdictions. Each jurisdiction must complete and submit their reimbursement documentation to CCCSO, which CCCSO then processes and forwards to the Office of Justice Programs.
City staff propose to use the funds for the purchase of police safety equipment (e.g., ballistic vests, ballistic shields, helmets, etc.) in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the County of Contra Costa and Participating Contra Costa County Local Government Agencies for the Distribution of Regular Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Grant – 2024 (“MOU”) (Attachment 1). The
June 23, 2026
proposed resolution if adopted, would authorize the City Manager, or their designee, to execute the MOU and related documents necessary to accept reimbursement grant funds and request reimbursement prior to the grant termination date (Attachment 2).
The Office of Justice Programs approved the JAG 2024 award in May 2026. The grant is valid from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2027.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant JAG 2024 MOU Attachment 2 – Resolution