Hickory Police Department Special Operations Team and Patrol Equipment

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 program 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 city of Hickory will use the Fiscal Year 2014 JAG award to purchase equipment to improve law enforcement. Funds will specifically allow the police department to: replace the agency's existing ballistic shield, which will give officers cover and protection from gunfire while responding to and confronting armed suspects in barricaded gunman situations, active shooters, and drug or arrest search warrant; purchase an Individual Officer Trauma Kit, which will allow an officer to render immediate lifesaving aid to themselves or others; and purchase a Training Breaching Door Kit, which will provide training, preparation, and understanding of proper execution of the fundamentals needed to successfully gain entry into structures where rapidly evolving critical incidents occur. NCA/NCF