Police chief seeks board approval for SRO grant amendment that would add $75,000-funded officer

Police Chief Jennings told the board the department has been offered an amendment to an existing Department of Safety and Homeland Security grant to add a school resource officer (SRO) for an alternative school linked to the city high school. Jennings said the amendment would increase the city's contract from $225,000 to $300,000, with the additional $75,000 covering salary, uniforms, equipment and benefits. "Each our SRO granted about 75,000 for the year," Jennings said, explaining the grant is fully funded and not a city match.

Jennings also gave a staffing update: two officers graduated from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy and will be sworn in soon; one officer began a 10-week academy and will be in training. Jennings highlighted a reported 36% decrease in traffic crashes in the first quarter compared with the previous period, which he attributed to enforcement efforts.

The mayor asked to move the SRO grant amendment to the regular board agenda; the board consented to place the item on Tuesday's agenda for formal action. No final contract amendment was executed during the work session.

Why it matters: adding an SRO places a sworn officer on campus and carries budget and patrol-replacement implications for the department. Because the grant is described as fully funded, staff said the city would not need to provide a local match for the SRO's costs.

What’s next: the SRO grant amendment will be presented for formal approval at the board's regular meeting.