The Chief of Police for the Houston Police Department (HPD) recommends that City Council approve an ordinance authorizing an electronic application and acceptance of grant funds through the Office of the Governor Criminal Justice Division (CJD) for the FY24 Updating Technology and Augmenting the Future Grant. The grant period becomes effective October 1, 2023, and ends on September 30, 2024. CJD will provide $93,359.00 in grant funding. No cash-match or in-kind contribution is required. This will be the city's first award under this program. HPD presented this item on April 20, 2023 to the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee.
The daily integration of technology is vital for the 21st century law enforcement agency; therefore, the purpose of the FY24 Updating Technology and Augmenting the Future Grant is to utilize grant funds to purchase supplies and direct operating expenses to upgrade the technology at the HPD South Gessner Division. The upgrade will improve public safety by supporting operations, aiding with enforcement strategies, detecting and responding to crimes, gathering and analyzing evidence, improving efficiency, and increasing officer safety. Funds will be used to purchase computers, monitors, radios and headsets.
The Houston Police Department also requests City Council to 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.
Fiscal Note:
No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.
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Troy Finner
Chief of Police