The Morgan Hill Police Department could have two new badges on
the street if the city accepts a $150,000 Community Oriented
Policing Services grant, but until details become available, city
officials can
’t commit to accept the grant.
The Morgan Hill Police Department could have two new badges on the street if the city accepts a $150,000 Community Oriented Policing Services grant, but until details become available, city officials can’t commit to accept the grant.
Known as the COPS grant, the only details that are clear at this time are that the program will require a commitment by the city to match 25 percent of the operating costs.
The COPS grant provides up to $75,000 a year per officer and is designed to pay 75 percent of the salary and benefits for three years.
What happens after the three years, whether city funds are available, are just some of the questions that need to be answered.
MHPD Chief Bruce Cumming, who received a call from Senator Barbara Boxer notifying him of the grant availability, said he needed more information before he would make a decision on accepting the funding.
“I would want to see the fine print before recommending to the city to commit to these things,” he said.
According to information from Congressman Richard Pombo’s office about the grant, the funds must be used “to enhance departmental problem-solving efforts.”
Although another grant requirement is that the department retain the two positions, it is not clear if the requirement ends at three years, along with the grant.
“It’s very nice to hear that we are eligible for the grant; however, until I know more about exactly how the money may be used, what the city’s position is, I can’t say for sure whether we will take advantage of it,” Cumming said. “I would certainly hope, if this turns out to be something that is worthwhile for us, for the city, that the city would provide the matching funds.”
City Director of Finance Jack Dilles said city staff, like Cumming, would need more information on the grant before making a recommendation to city council.
“As to whether we would have the matching funds for that amount, that would obviously be a city council decision,” he said. “We would bring a recommendation to them, of course, once we have received more information about the requirements.”
