DATE:
September 09, 2025
03
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
SHERIFF - APPROVAL OF A GOVERNING BODY RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE APPLICATION FOR AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE COVERDELL FORENSIC SCIENCE IMPROVEMENT GRANT (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Title
OVERVIEW
The Sheriff's Office Regional Crime Laboratory (Crime Lab) provides forensic services to over thirty local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. The Crime Lab receives funding from the U. S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, and the Bureau of Justice Assistance through the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services.
The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) also has additional grant opportunities such as the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant which provides funding to eligible California forensic science crime laboratories, medical examiners' offices, and coroners' offices identified by the California Association of Crime Laboratory Directors (CACLD). Funding is typically provided to acquire and maintain accreditation, reduce backlogs, and improve the quality and timeliness of forensic science services.
An updated Board of Supervisors (Board) resolution is being requested by the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services providing for revised authority for the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant to the Sheriff and the addition of staff directly involved in the grant process that have increased or changed since the last Board approval in 2013.
Today's action requests authorization from the Board for the Sheriff to apply for and accept grant funding from Cal OES, including reviewing and executing all related documents for the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Grant. The grant funding allows the Crime Lab to meet professional and accreditation standards while creating a positive financial impact on the Sheriff's Office. It also requests the waiver of Board Policy B-29, Fees, Grants, and Revenue Contracts -Depart...
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