Report Prepared by: Lance Eber, Crime Analyst, Police
Title
SUBJECT: Approve the Police Department to Apply for the United States Department of Justice (USDOJ) Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Fiscal Year 2026 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Program Grant to Expand Existing Health and Wellness Programs not to Exceed $250,000 and Approve to Accept the Grant Award When Offered
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers Staff’s request to apply for the USDOJ COPS Fiscal Year 2026 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Program grant and accept the grant funding when awarded
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Adopting Resolution 2026-47, a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Merced, California approving the grant application and accepting the grant award from the US Department of Justice, Community Oriented Policing Services; and,
When Awarded,
B. Authorizing the acceptance of the USDOJ COPS Fiscal Year 2026 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Program grant not to exceed $250,000; and,
C. Authorizing the Finance Officer to make necessary budget adjustments; and,
D. Authorizing the use of pooled cash to cover the appropriation until grant funds are reimbursed; and,
E. Authorizing the City Manager to execute the USDOJ COPS Fiscal Year 2026 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Program Grant Award Agreement and any related documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by Staff; or,
2. Deny; or,
3. Refer back to Staff for recommendation of specific items (specific items to be addressed in the motion).
4. Take no action
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Public Safety Priority - Traffic Solutions & Safety and as provided in the FY 2026/27 Adopted Budget
DISCUSSION
The USDOJ announced that the COPS Fiscal Year 2026 Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act Program grant application period is open. The application due date is August 5, 2026. The maximum award amount is $250,000. This is a 100% reimbursement grant. No match is needed. The police department will expend funds up front and reimbursement requests are submitted by the police department to the USDOJ on a quarterly basis throughout the grant period. The grant period will be October 1, 2026 - September 30, 2028, and grant funds will be available during this same period.
The mental health and wellness of law enforcement officers and their families is a priority of the USDOJ. Through this grant program, the USDOJ supports this priority by providing funding directly to state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies to implement new or enhance existing programs that offer training and services to support officers’ emotional and mental health, including counseling programs, peer mentoring, suicide prevention, stress reduction, and/or police officer family services.
The Police Department will apply under Category 2: Enhanced Implementation Projects. The purpose of this grant application category is to provide funding to law enforcement agencies who have current wellness programs in place and are seeking to enhance or expand upon those existing wellness programs. Applications in this category must focus on the enhancement or expansion of existing peer support, training, family resources, suicide prevention, stress reduction, clinical support, and/or other promising practices for wellness programs. Programs may serve sworn law enforcement, civilian staff, and families of agency members.
The Police Department will apply for grant funds to do the following:
• Get advanced training for current and new peer support team members
• Get training for basic peer support training for sworn and civilian employees to expand the peer support unit
• Expand employee and family access to confidential wellness resources, including counseling, suicide prevention, stress management, sleep health, financial wellness, and family support
• Formalize procedures for critical incident defusing, debriefing, and referrals to professional services
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
The Police Department will use pooled cash for expenses on this grant and be 100% reimbursed on a quarterly basis.
This item will require five affirmative votes for approval.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution 2026-47