The Chief of Police for the Houston Police Department (HPD) recommends that City Council approve an ordinance authorizing the electronic application for and acceptance of grant funds through the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) for the FY23 Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) in the amount of $310,000.00. The grant requires the City to make a 50% cash match in the amount of $310,000.00. The project period will be from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2025 for a total of 24 months. This will be HPD's fifteenth (15th) award under this program.
The purpose of the Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) Program is to increase police officer safety and wellness in communities across the United States. The grantor will provide 50% of the associated costs for bulletproof vests and associated equipment. Funds will be used to purchase bulletproof vests for the Houston Police Department. The bulletproof vests, combined with HPD’s mandatory wear policy, will have a direct safety impact to police officers who experience blunt force trauma from vehicle accidents, gunshots, or knife attacks.
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.
Fiscal Note:
Funding for this item is included in the FY2024 Adopted Budget. Therefore, no Fiscal Note is required as stated in the Financial Policy.
No Fiscal Note is required on grant items.
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Troy Finner
Chief of Police