City Council Agenda
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Memo to: |
Manteca City Council |
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From: |
Stephen Schluer, Chief of Police |
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Prepared by: |
Paul Carmona, Capitain |
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Date: |
February 4, 2025 |
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Subject: |
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program |
Recommendation:
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Adopt a resolution accepting a grant of $14,525 from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program; approving the Department's spending plan as described in the staff report; and appropriating funds in the FY25 Annual Budget as described in the fiscal impact section.
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Background:
The U.S. Department of Justice, through the Office of Justice Programs, provides funding to assist State and local law enforcement to combat crime and to improve the functioning of their organizations. One of these programs is the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. The JAG formula allocates money to law enforcement agencies based on the population of the jurisdiction and the level of Part 1, violent and felony crimes occurring in the area policed by that agency. Based on that formula, the Manteca Police Department was entitled to a one-time grant of $14,525.00.
Due to the nature of this grant, the Department recommends these funds be used for one-time expenditures that would normally be requested from the General Fund and not for on-going expenses. Staff recommends these funds be used to purchase Simunition conversion kits to enhance our tactical and firearms training program. These kits will allow officers to safely use their duty weapons during realistic scenario-based training, utilizing non-lethal ammunition for safe force-on-force exercises. By incorporating Simunition training into our regimen, we aim to improve decision-making, shooting accuracy, and tactical responses under stress, thereby enhancing overall officer safety and operational effectiveness.
These kits will be used to conduct realistic training scenarios, including active shooter drills, building searches, high-risk traffic stops, and other critical incidents. The conversion kits will be compatible with our current firearms inventory, allowing seamless integration into our existing training regimen.
Officers will receive comprehensive training on the proper use of the conversion kits, safety protocols, and best practices for force-on-force training. The incorporation of these kits will allow us to conduct more frequent and varied training sessions, providing officers with regular opportunities to hone their skills in controlled, realistic environments.
Training with live firearms often limits the realism and safety of scenarios critical for developing skills in high-stress environments. Simunition conversion kits allow officers to safely engage in dynamic, scenario-based training that mirrors real-world encounters, providing invaluable hands-on experience without the risks associated with live ammunition.
The Manteca Police Department is also requesting funding to purchase a forcible entry training door to enhance our tactical training capabilities. These specialized doors will provide our officers with hands-on training opportunities to practice essential skills, including breaching and forced entry techniques. This training is critical for preparing our officers to safely and effectively respond to high-risk situations, such as active shooter incidents, warrant service, and emergency rescues. By investing in forcible entry training doors, we aim to improve officer safety, increase operational effectiveness, and ensure our personnel are prepared for the realities of modern policing.
Effective forced entry techniques are crucial for law enforcement operations, particularly during emergency responses where time is critical, and access to a location must be gained quickly and safely. Currently, our department lacks the proper training equipment to simulate realistic forcible entry scenarios, which limits our officers’ ability to practice and refine their skills.
Forcible entry training doors offer a controlled environment where officers can repeatedly practice techniques, learn from mistakes, and build the confidence necessary to execute these high-stress tasks safely. By integrating these doors into our training program, we will significantly enhance our preparedness for a wide range of critical incidents.
Fiscal Impact:
Staff recommends the following:
1. Accepting a grant from the U. S. Department of Justice in the amount of $14,525 and appropriating those funds in the FY25 Annual Budget to the revenue account Police Grant Fund, Intergovernmental Grants-Federal BJA-JAG account (No. 150.00.00.900-4450.28).
2. Appropriating those funds in the FY25 Annual Budget to the expenditure account Police Grant Fund Supplies - Police BJA/JAG account (No. 150.11.00.200-6210.16).
Documents Attached:
1. Attachment 1 - Resolution
2. Attachment 2 - Award Letter