DATE: December 17, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Police Department
TITLE: ACCEPTANCE AND APPROPRIATION OF GRANT FUNDS FOR THE COPS 2025 GRANT PROGRAM
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommend that the City Council accept and appropriate $266,432 in grant funds from the State of California Enhancing Law Enforcement Activities Subaccount (ELEAS) awarded to the City for the Citizen’s Option for Public Safety (COPS) 2025 Grant Program; and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all grant documents.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The City has received COPS Grant funds from the State of California since the inception of the Program in Fiscal Year 1996-97. The City has also established an interest-bearing State Supplement Law Enforcement Services Funds (SLESF) account, as required by statute. In previous years, the COPS grants have been used to fund personnel costs and equipment, consistent with the guidelines set forth in California Government Code Sections 30061.
In September 2025, the Oceanside Police Department (OPD) was notified that the City’s share of COPS 2025 funds is estimated to be $266,432. Based on prior years, the estimated allocation amount has always differed from the funds received. If additional COPS 2025 funding becomes available, staff will submit an additional staff report with spending recommendations.
Programs to be funded with the awarded funds are as follows:
• School Resource Officer (SRO) Program - $103,000 - OPD has been funding the SRO Program through COPS grant awards since fiscal year 2004-05. This allocation will cover the salary and benefits for one officer during the 2026-27 school year. The Police Department’s general fund budget separately funds the remaining balance.
• Cadet Program Salaries and Benefits FY2026-27 - $41,084 - This program bridges Explorers and entry-level law enforcement positions within the Police Department. It provides a forum for recruiting local candidates expressing interest in law enforcement. This allocation supports two Police Cadets for one year.
• Cadet Program Tuition and Uniforms - $7,500 - This funding will be used for scholarship and tuition expenses for the Police Cadets to attend a local community college. Additionally, the funding will be used to acquire uniforms for the Police Cadets.
• Cadet Program Internal Service Fund (ISF) - $3,734 - Per AD-37, this ISF has been established to support information technology to all City of Oceanside departments. The allocation is reflective of the FY2026-27 anticipated charges.
• Leica Scanner (2nd out of 5 payments) - $22,051 - This laser scanner is an imaging tool designed for documenting field investigations and creating detailed digital models of various environments. Its use greatly improves the operational and investigative capabilities of the Police Department. The purchase cost for the scanner is being distributed over a five-year period in annual increments, and this represents the second payment. For the remaining three years of the lease agreement, the department will utilize COPS grant funds for funding.
• Axon Fleet 3 Cameras - $78,563 - Each vehicle in the OPD fleet is equipped with in-car cameras that enhance transparency and accountability. This camera system is fully compatible with the Mobile Computer Terminals installed in each vehicle. This allocation will ensure that the newest patrol vehicles also come equipped with cameras, thereby maintaining operational consistency.
• E-Cite Printer Mounts - $10,500 - Recently, all OPD patrol vehicles were upgraded with mobile printers to enhance efficiency in citation printing while on duty. The current objective is to install printer mounts across the entire fleet of patrol vehicles, as the existing printers are not securely fixed. These mounts will safely secure the computers in each vehicle, ultimately contributing to the longevity of the equipment and the safety of the officers.
FISCAL IMPACT
The State of California has disbursed the funds to the City, which are being held in fund balance. There are no matching fund requirements from the City.
|
Expenditures |
Appropriation |
Account Number |
|
Revenues: |
|
|
|
COPS 2025 Grant Funds |
$266,432 |
817140425217.4376 |
|
School Resource Officer Program FY2026-27 Transfer To |
$103,000 |
817144323272.6800.0101 |
|
Expenses: |
|
|
|
School Resource Officer Program FY2026-27 Transfer From |
$103,000 |
817140425217.6900.0272 |
|
Cadet Program Salary FY2026-27 |
35,900 |
817140425217.5110 |
|
Cadet Program Benefits |
5,184 |
817140425217.5207 |
|
Cadet Program Tuition |
5,000 |
817140425217.5350 |
|
Cadet Program Uniforms |
2,500 |
817140425217.5380 |
|
Cadet Program Internal Services Fund |
3,734 |
817140425217.5600 |
|
Leica Scanner (2nd out of 5 payments) |
22,051 |
817140425217.5335 |
|
Fleet 3 Cameras |
78,563 |
817140425217.5330 |
|
E-Cite Printer Mounts |
10,500 |
817140425217.5330 |
|
Total Grant Appropriation |
$266,432 |
|
COMMISSION OR COMMITTEE REPORT
This request will be presented to the Police and Fire Commission for recommendation at its regularly scheduled meeting on December 9, 2025.
CITY ATTORNEY’S ANALYSIS
The City Attorney has reviewed the referenced documents and approved as to form.
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Prepared by: Whitney Fernandez, Management Analyst
Reviewed by: Taurino Valdovinos, Chief of Police
Submitted by: Jonathan Borrego, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Staff Report
2. COPS Award Allocation FY25-26