Title
National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative FY 2023 Grant
Action
Action:
Authorize the City Manager to accept a grant in the amount of $900,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice to continue participation in the National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Johnny Jennings, Police
Steven Brochu, Police
Joel McNelly, Police
Explanation
* The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) often applies for grants to fund programs and expenses that support the approved operating budget.
* CMPD has received the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) grant from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance since Fiscal Year 2016.
* The goal of the program is to improve state and local jurisdictions' capacities to respond to violent crime and the functioning of the criminal justice system through the investigation and prosecution of cases resulting from sexual assault kit evidence and the collection of lawfully owed DNA from convicted offenders.
* CMPD will use the FY 2023 SAKI Purpose Area 3 Grant to fund the following:
* Conducting a state-wide census of collecting DNA samples of those convicted offenders from whom a DNA sample was never obtained to expand the DNA database, enabling CMPD to better identify persons convicted of violent and sex offenses involved in unsolved crimes.
* Hiring one DNA Collections Coordinator to conduct the census and manage overall operations of the program.
* Hiring two part-time DNA Collections Officer positions to collect lawfully owed DNA samples based on the results of the census.
* Providing detective overtime to assist with local DNA collections activity in Mecklenburg County and surrounding areas.
* Purchasing supplies and travel needed to carry out the program.
* The total amount of the grant award is $900,000. This grant does not require the city to match funds.
* The grant period is October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2026.
* The city must accept this award by November 9, 2023.
* At...
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