BJA FY24 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program

The City of Kokomo Police Department plans to purchase a crime scene vehicle with the use of the JAG funds. The Kokomo Police Department is made up of 80 sworn officers and 19 non-sworn employees. The funding priority for the FY 2024 Edward Byrne Memorial JAG funds is to maintain case integrity through proper crime scene processing by purchasing proper equipment.

The crime scene vehicle for the Kokomo Police Department is a necessity to our department so that investigators can process, secure, store, and transport sensitive equipment and evidence in a secure manner. The current crime scene van the Kokomo Police Department has is outdated (1972) and was transferred to the police department from the fire department. Its original use was for HazMat incidents for the fire department. The current crime scene is in constant need of repair or maintenance. With the JAG funds, the crime scene vehicle would be purchased immediately, and once secured, will be placed into operation. It is priority to keep evidence secure as well as damage, degradation, and/or contamination free.

This crime scene vehicle is vital to investigators and allow them to perform their day-to-day duties and be more efficient with protecting the citizens within the community. This project involves direct cost only, and the cost is $159,000. The cost is significantly higher than our allotted amount, but it beneficial to our department. The current crime scene van was only used on approximately 1/3 of the call outs, due to being outdated and constant repairs. The need and foreseen future of this large purchase out ways the large budgetary requirement.