Implement an Investigations Unit in the Montpelier Police Department

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) solicits applications for initiatives which assist law enforcement in rural states and rural areas. The program helps rural states and rural areas to prevent and combat crime, especially drug-related crime, and provides for national support efforts, including training and technical assistance programs strategically targeted to address rural needs.

The Assistance to Rural Law Enforcement to Combat Crime and Drugs Program, administered by BJA, helps rural states and rural areas prevent and combat crime, especially drug-related crime, and provides for national support efforts, including training and technical assistance programs strategically targeted to address rural needs. In addition, priority consideration will be given to local law enforcement agencies in rural areas where the unit of local government is not eligible to receive a direct allocation from the Recovery Act Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program or received a direct allocation that was $50,000 or less. Applicants were invited to submit a proposal under any one of the following categories to: (1) combat rural crime; (2) improve rural law enforcement investigations; (3) enhance rural detention and jail operations; (4) facilitate rural justice information sharing; or (5) develop a national training and technical assistance program.

Under Category 2, the city of Montpelier will use the grant funds to support the Montpelier Police Department (MPD) in improving rural law enforcement investigations by creating an investigation unit. MPD's goal is to retain six law enforcement jobs, create two law enforcement jobs, maintain 100 percent of essential services without disruption, establish five collaborative partnerships to avoid duplication, initiate 30 new investigations monthly, increase the percent of investigations that lead to arrests or convictions, and decrease the percent of crimes when an arrest or conviction cannot be made or charges must be reduced due to lack of evidence or poor evidence. The impact of creating an investigation unit in the MPD will improve law enforcement functions, including improved capacity for follow-up, improved investigative techniques, improved evidence handling, and improved community communications and mobilization. Funds will pay salaries and benefits for two positions, purchase equipment and supplies, and pay for costs associated with attending mandatory and other grant training.

CA/CF