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 expres...
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