Title
A Resolution of the City Commission authorizing an encumbrance in the amount of $400,000 from Federal Forfeited Asset Fund (F.A.F.) moneys for a matching contribution required as part of a federal grant program; the initiation of a body worn camera program by the Coral Gables Police Department; and authorizing an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 annual budget to recognize the transfer from reserve of Federal Forfeiture Funds as revenue and appropriating such funds to put toward the cost of the items described above.
Body
The Coral Gables Police Department participates with federal law enforcement agencies of the United States Departments of Justice, Treasury and/or Homeland Security in joint law enforcement investigations. The Coral Gables Police Department’s participation in those joint federal - local investigations produces federally seized funds. At the discretion of the United States Attorney General under United States Statute: 18 U.S.C. Section 981 (e)(2), and 21 U.S.C. Section 881 (e)(1)(A) and (e)(3)(b), the Coral Gables Police Department may lawfully receive equitable shares of the federally seized funds at the conclusion of the legal proceedings.
The “Guide to Equitable Sharing for State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies” by the United States Department of Justice provides that the equitably shared forfeited asset funds resulting from the participation of a local agency in investigations with Federal law enforcement agencies may be utilized by the participating local agency for the costs associated with paying a law enforcement’s matching contribution in a federal grant program for items other than salaries, provided the grant funds are used for a permissible law enforcement purpose.
The Coral Gables Police Department has identified a need for matching funds associated with the Body Worn Camera (BWC) Program that is being implemented in fiscal year 2022. The Department received a Department of Justice grant in the amount of $400,000...
Click here for full text