Police department gets grant for two additional officers

Published 10:18 pm Tuesday, July 14, 2020

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Troy police will add two new officers and a portable speed detection unit, thanks to more than $344,000 in grants.

The Troy City Council approved two grants for the department during its regular meeting on Tuesday.

The first, a Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant administered by the Department of Justice, provides $339,940 over three years to be used for the hire of two additional officers. The officers would bring the total on the force to 62.

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“We’ve applied for this grant almost every year I’ve been in office,” said Police Chief Randall Barr. “This is the first time we’ve received it since 2000.”

The grant provides $250,000 for hiring the additional office7rs, with the city paying $89,940 or25 percent of the total over the course of three years.

In addition, the department received a $3,715 grant from Walmart Community Programs. That grant has been used to purchase a new mobile speed detection sign.

“As you know, our current sign is more than 15 years old and has to be moved around on a trailer,” Barr said. “This new sign is 17 x 24 inches and mountable on existing signposts, so an officer can set it up in a matter of minutes.”

The sign is also wi-fi enabled and can provide downloadable traffic data including number of vehicles, average speed, maximum speed and traffic within specific time frames. “This will help us decide where to spend our resources,” Barr said.

In addition, the council on Tuesday:

• Approved a joint services agreement between Zoll Data and the Fire Department to provide the capability of filing electronic patient contact reports., which will be accessible across the network and through E911, said Fire Chief Michael Stephens. The board also approved the purchase of a new monitor for approximately $31,000 to replace a 2007 monitor.

• Appointed City Clerk Shannon Bryant as election manager for the August municipal elections.

• Heard a proposal from Andre Ellis regarding his desire to secure grants and funding to build a 100-unit affordable housing complex on more than 450 acres of property along the Henderson Highway.