The Houston Police Department (HPD) recommends that City Council approve an ordinance authorizing the application for and acceptance of grant funds through the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Justice Assistance FY2017 Technology Innovation for Public Safety (TIPS) Grant Program, and approve a Cooperative Agreement between the City of Houston and the DOJ. The TIPS Program provides grant funds directly to law enforcement agencies with innovative technology implementation projects that specifically address an increase in crime such as Human Trafficking.
Under the FY17 TIPS Program, the DOJ will provide 100% of associated costs for personnel, travel, equipment and a contract with Children at Risk, a child advocacy service. The project period will being October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2019 for a total of 24 months.
HPD also request City Council authorize the Chief of Police or his designee to act as the City 's representative in the application process with the authority to apply for, accept and expend the grant funds as awarded, and apply for, accept and expend all subsequent awards, if any, to extend the budget period, and to authorize the Mayor to execute all related agreements with the approval of the City Attorney in connection with the grant not to exceed five years.
HPD has been awarded $439,012 in grant funds which does not require a cash match.