Lancaster City Bureau of Police FY23 JAG Law Enforcement Equipment Project

The Lancaster City Bureau of Police is respectfully requesting the FY 2023 Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) funding allocation of $52,284 to be utilized for the purchase of cellphone extraction equipment and training, an updated polygraph system to replace outdated equipment, license plate reader license and individual first aid kits.

The Lancaster Bureau of Police intends to purchase cellphone extraction equipment and provide personnel training for the use of the equipment.  This equipment is one of the best known and widely used mobile device forensics tool for data extraction and analysis. The equipment will aid our investigators to extract and analyze phone calls, messages, voicemails, images, browsing history and more. The Bureau has utilized this equipment frequently over the past few years and it has aided in solving homicides, sexual assault cases and many others.

The second need of the Lancaster City Bureau of Police is an updated polygraph system to replace outdated equipment. This new equipment will allow the Bureau of Police to access current technology that is essential for the background process of hiring new officers, investigating crimes and assisting with internal investigations. This equipment assists with eliminating potential problem officer candidates and is a crucial tool in criminal investigations.

Funding will also be utilized to purchase a license plate reader license. This license will allow investigators to access a database of plate reads with other local departments. Criminals do not stay in one jurisdiction but often travel and commit crimes in multiple jurisdictions. This license will increase collaboration between the Bureau and other local departments.

Finally, the Lancaster City Bureau of Police will use a portion of this funding toward the purchase of individual first aid kits for officers.  The first aid kits will be able to be attached to the individual officer's ballistic vest or “go-bag” and will allow readily accessible emergency first aid in the event an officer is seriously injured. These kits could have lifesaving implications for our officers.