Posting Language
Title
Approve an ordinance amending the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Austin Police Department Operating Budget Special Revenue Fund (Ordinance No. 20240814-007) to accept and appropriate $1,500,000 in grant funds from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance Sexual Assault Kit Initiative for the Investigation and Prosecution of Cold Case Sexually Motivated Crimes Project. Funding: $1,500,000 is available from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance Fiscal Year 2024 National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. A City funding match is not required.
De
Lead Department
Austin Police Department.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $1,500,000 is available from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance Fiscal Year 2024 National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. A City funding match is not required. A fiscal note is attached.
For More Information:
Robin J. Henderson, Chief of Staff, Austin Police Department, (512) 974-5030.
Additional Backup Information:
The City Manager’s Office reviewed this grant for alignment as directed by Resolution No. 20200611-096 and recommends approval.
This action will accept $1,500,000 in grant funds from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance and amend the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Police Department Operating Budget Special Revenue Fund (Ordinance No. 20240814-007) to appropriate $1,500,000 for the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) - Investigation and Prosecution of Cold Case Sexually Motivated Crimes Project for the grant period of October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2027.
The goal of this project is to help law enforcement and prosecutors address challenges associated with unresolved violent cold case crimes to reduce violent crime and increase public safety in the City. Program objectives are to investigate and prosecute violent sexual assault related cold case crimes; to provide training opportunities to increase interagency effectiveness to advance the knowledge, skills and abilities of existing and new investigators, prosecutors, leadership, workgroup members, civilian analysts such as the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program and intelligence analysts, and support personnel; to facilitate dialog around pain points with investigative and prosecutorial work and arrive at understanding and consensus on moving cases through to disposition; to complete additional forensics testing in support of investigations and prosecutions; and, to support survivors and their families throughout the lengthy plea, trial and appellate processes.
Under this award, APD will partner with the Bureau of Justice Assistance and technical assistance providers. Grant funding will allow the City to hire a case manager, temporary investigative support staff, and a part time SAKI coordinator temp; contract for forensic genetic genealogy; complete training/travel; and enter into four subawards for training, direct non-system advocacy services, and case debriefs with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office.
The General Fund will not be required to contribute additional funds beyond those currently budgeted to this grant. When the grant funds expire, APD’s need for continuing funding will be evaluated and may be denied.