Meridian Police Department Justice Assistance Grant

The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) allows states and units of local government, including tribes, to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on their own state and local needs and conditions. Grant funds can be used for state and local initiatives, technical assistance, training, personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, and information systems for criminal justice, including for any one or more of the following purpose areas: 1) law enforcement programs; 2) prosecution and court programs; 3) prevention and education programs; 4) corrections and community corrections programs; 5) drug treatment and enforcement programs; 6) planning, evaluation, and technology improvement programs; and 7) crime victim and witness programs (other than compensation).

The Meridian Police Department will use their FY 2010 JAG funds for canine agility certification equipment. This equipment will enable the Meridian Police department (MPD)to provide on-site training to their five canine police dogs, thereby saving costs associated with travel to another city for this mandatory training. The Meridian Police Department also intends to improve the safety of their Arrest Techniques/Ground Control and Handgun Retention Program by purchasing safety mats for the training room. The department will be implementing a Force on Force Training Program for which they plan to purchase simunition training guns as well as safety/protective equipment for the officers being trained. Finally, funds will be used to acquire low light equipment for MPD's new Street Crimes Unit (SCU). This purchase will include night vision binoculars and goggles for the four new SCU officers that the department will be hiring with other federal grant monies.

NCA/NCF