JAG BJA FY24 for Waco and McLennan County to advance law enforcement efforts

The disparate jurisdiction of the City of Waco and McLennan County will use JAG funds for technology and equipment. Specifically, the City of Waco requests to use the BJA grant funding to purchase an annual software subscription for the OSS Academy online Learning Management System and product licensing access. This will provide online access to TCOLE required, elective and specialized courses. OSS Academy will also track and report course hours to TCOLE, assisting the officers in attaining their intermediate license.

The City of Waco also requests that BJA JAG funds be used to purchase 34 FM 54 Twinport Specialist Responder Kits. These are gas masks with filters and carriers. Gas masks are vital to the safety of our officers, protecting them from hazardous chemical and biological agents that may be used to disperse crowds during riots or otherwise influence the movement of individuals or groups.

McLennan County requests the BJA grant funding to purchase a low-profile license plate reader. License plate readers (LPRs) will support the County by enhancing crime detection and prevention, data collection, and analysis to identify crime patterns and hotspots. LPRs offer real-time identification of stolen vehicles and suspects. They can also improve efficiency in patrol operations, allowing deputies to focus on proactive policing instead of manual checks.