Grant Funds Criminal Analyst For Area Law Enforcement Agencies

By Naomi Hatch
   The Snowflake-Taylor Police Department along with Navajo County, Holbrook, Show Low and Winslow, has received the Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program Award as part of the federal government’s Recovery Act.
   Sgt. Alan DeWitt explained to the Snowflake Town Council May 12 that this is a collective program, with Snowflake qualifying for $35,178, but they must apply to receive the monies.
   Law enforcement leaders from each of these municipalities have agreed on a project that will fill the enhancing information sharing and intelligence led policing aspects of the grant. The project will entail hiring a criminal analyst investigator for all law enforcement agencies in Navajo County. The analyst will work under the auspices of the Navajo County Attorney, who will serve as the fiscal agent in the grant.
   Town Manager Paul Watson explained that this position will be available to all the agencies. Sgt. DeWitt said that the person would be more along the lines of a consultant.
   In response to a question posed by Mayor Kelly Willis, DeWitt explained that there would be no cost to the town related to this position.
   The council unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding for the joint Justice Assistance Grant with law enforcement agencies in Navajo County for the purpose of hiring a criminal analyst/investigator.
   The council also authorized the purchase of an in-car video system and three speed radar units using $13,000 in Governor’s Office of Highway Safety funds.
   On May 13, 2008, the council passed a resolution for STPD to submit a grant application to the Office of Highway Safety, and on April 23, 2009, the department received the grant for the purchase of the video system and radar devices. The grant also funds training related to the items purchased.
   The grant was specifically designed to help the department with its traffic enforcement program in an effort to enforce and reduce DUI violations and other traffic related violations.
   Sgt. DeWitt said this will give them the capability of detecting speed from front and rear for in-car mobile radar units. He explained to the council that they are being purchased under the state bid and so will not require going to bid.
   In response to a question posed by Mayor Willis, DeWitt said they currently have one unit that was acquired from the Department of Public Safety, which is a newer car. Most vehicles have an older unit that has been here as long as the sergeant has.