Title
Approval of a Resolution Accepting State Grant Funding for Law Enforcement Hiring, Retention, Training, and Public Safety
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the resolution accepting state grant funding for law enforcement hiring, retention, training, and public safety.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve the resolution accepting state grant funding for law enforcement hiring, retention, training, and public safety.
Staff Contact:
Shelby Parker, Police Chief, 360.753.8147
Presenter(s):
None – Consent Agenda Item
Background and Analysis:
In 2024, the Legislature ESHB 2015 and which was enacted into law via RCW 43.101.540, establishing a statewide investment in law enforcement staffing, retention, training, and public safety capacity. The Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) administers the program and distributes funds to eligible agencies.
The Olympia Police Department (OPD) applied for funding to support officer hiring, retention and training. The awarded amount will allow OPD to advance recruitment goals, stabilize staffing levels, and ensure officers have the equipment and technology required for modern policing.
OPD intends to use the grant funding to:
Recruit, fund, train and retain eight new law enforcement officers ($1,307,533).
Purchase equipment, technology, and vehicles necessary to support public safety operations ($602,550).
City Council approval is required because the total award exceeds the City Manager’s delegated contracting authority. Council approval authorizes the City Manager to accept state grant funding administered by WSCJTC and to execute all necessary agreements supporting officer hiring, retention, training, and public safety operations.
Climate Analysis:
The grant includes funding for the purchase and upfitting of three police vehicles, which may result in a limited increase in fuel use and greenhouse gas emissio...
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