Title
Presentation: Funding through the DOJ FY 2026 Bridging Immigration-related Deficits Experienced Nationwide Program and COPS Office grants
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Issue/Request:
Discussion on existing Federal Grant Funding Opportunities
In light of the current fiscal environment, this presentation is prepared to gather council input on available grant funding opportunities.
Background:
The Lee’s Summit Police Department (LSPD) is a progressive law enforcement agency that embraces advanced technology and evidence-based policing strategies to enhance public safety. In 2025, the department achieved a 14% reduction in overall crime through the dedicated efforts of its personnel and the strategic integration of new technologies that improved situational awareness, response times, and proactive operations.
To build on these gains, LSPD has constructed a Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) designed to serve as a centralized hub for intelligence sharing, crime analysis, and coordinated response. Full staffing of the RTCC is essential to maximize its capabilities, particularly during peak call-for-service hours. The department is currently evaluating staffing models that include civilian operators, sworn personnel, or a hybrid approach. Civilian positions offer an accessible entry point into law enforcement careers, potentially leading to roles as police officers or dispatchers, and have proven easier and faster to fill. Sworn staff brings valuable firsthand operational knowledge of field needs. A blended model is under consideration to optimize both coverage and effectiveness.
Two federal grant opportunities have been identified to support RTCC staffing: the U.S. Department of Justice FY 2026 Bridging Immigration-related Deficits Experienced Nationwide Program, which provides an estimated $3 billion in funding and flexibility for sworn or civilian hires, and grants from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office), which has released nearly $700 million in fundi...
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