City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: OCTOBER 20, 2026 FROM: RIVERSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: AGREEMENT ACCEPTING THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, OFFICE OF COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING SERVICES – 26/27 COPS TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT PROGRAM GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,000,000 – SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION ISSUES:
Approve an agreement accepting the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, 26/27 COPS Technology and Equipment Program grant award in the amount of $1,000,000 for the period of January 1, 2026, through January 31, 2028, and authorize a supplemental appropriation in the same amount.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Approve an agreement accepting the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, 26/27 COPS Technology and Equipment Program grant award in the amount of $1,000,000 for the period of January 1, 2026, through January 31, 2028; With at least five affirmative votes, and upon receipt of the grant award, authorize the Chief Financial Officer, or designee, to record a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $1,000,000 and record an increase in revenue in the same amount to the Grants and Restricted Programs Fund, 26/27 COPS Technology and Equipment Program Grant revenue and expenditure account; and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all grant documents and any subsequent amendments or modifications with the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, 26/27 COPS Technology and Equipment Program grant, including making minor and non-substantive changes.
BACKGROUND:
The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) was created through the passage of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to advance the practice of community policing through a variety of knowledge resource products, technical assistance, training, and grant resources. The COPS Technology and Equipment Program was established to support the development and acquisition of effective law enforcement equipment, technologies and interoperable communications that enhance law enforcement agencies’ ability to respond to and prevent crime with the intent to further the implementation of community policing practices.
DISCUSSION:
In July of 2026, the Riverside Police Department (RPD) requested funding through the COPS Technology and Equipment Program to establish a facility for the Real-Time Information Center (RTIC) and implement a Drone as a First Responder (DFR) program to serve the City of Riverside. On September 25, 2026, the Riverside Police Department was awarded $1,000,000 to support the purchase of technology and equipment for these initiatives.
On July 16, 2024, the City Council approved the implementation of a Real-Time Crime Center, now known as a Real-Time Information Center (RTIC), and authorized the purchase of FususONE software from Axon Enterprise, Inc. The RTIC utilizing FususONE to integrate live data from existing public safety cameras and other authorized technologies into a single access point to accelerate investigations and improve community safety. Currently, authorized personnel are using the software in multiple locations throughout the Police Department. Some of the proposed funding would be used to build a centralized operations center for the RTIC by remodeling a small section of the existing Lincoln Avenue police station. This facility would house and expand the RTIC originally approved by the City Council.
Additionally, the Department proposes utilizing the remaining funds to launch a Drone as a First Responder (DFR) program. This initiative involves deploying six unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) across three strategic locations citywide to provide real-time aerial awareness during emergencies. Upon City Council approval, the DFR technology will be fully integrated into the RTIC operations.
Together, these capabilities would improve emergency response, enhance situational awareness, strengthen coordination among public safety agencies, and support proactive, community-oriented policing. The proposed projects would improve the Department's ability to respond to violent crime, property crime, missing people, traffic incidents, natural disasters, and other critical events while increasing officer and community safety.
The Department is requesting for City Council to approve the grant agreement and accept the funds awarded. Funding available through the COPS Technology and Equipment Program provides an opportunity for the RPD to obtain resources that may otherwise require funding through the City’s existing operating budget or reserves.
RPD is preparing a detailed presentation for the Safety, Wellness and Youth Committee in November 2026 to discuss the RTIC and DFR program. Following the Committee presentation, the Department will return to City Council for discussion and approval to proceed with the proposed RTIC and DFR programs and authorization to make the necessary purchases.
The grant term runs from January 1, 2026, through January 31, 2028.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total fiscal impact of this action is an increase in revenue and expenditures in the amount of $1,000,000, or the actual award amount. Upon City Council approval, an increase in revenue in the amount of the award and an equal amount of appropriations will be recorded in the funds and programs in the table below:
Table 1. – Supplemental Appropriation
Fund
Program
Account
Amount
Grants & Restricted Programs
Revenue
26/27 COPS Technology and Equipment Program
9188500-331300
$1,000,000
Expenditures
26/27 COPS Technology and Equipment Program
9188500-462200
$1,000,000
No matching funds are required for the grant award, however, additional funding may be needed to support these projects. The details will not be solidified until vendors have been selected and approved through the purchasing process. Additional information will be available in November when this item is presented to the Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee.
Prepared by: Chad Milby, Police Captain
Approved by: Larry V. Gonzalez, Chief of Police
Certified as to
availability of funds: Julie Nemes, Finance Director
Approved by: Thomas R. Hatch, Interim City Manager
Approved as to form: James Johnson, City Attorney
Attachment: Award Agreement Department of Justice, Community Oriented Policing Services COPS Technology and Equipment Program - Page 1