Brownsville Chief of Police Chris Lea and Mayor Webb Banks with new police equipment purchased with federal stimulus grants.

Brownsville Police Department purchases new technology with federal recovery funding

The City of Brownsville Police Department received three different federal grants this year as part of the Federal Recovery Program. One grant, the COPS – CHRP grant pays for an additional police officer for the next three years. At the end of three years, the City will keep this officer on the police force.

The other two grants were awarded under the Justice Assistance program. These grants are for law enforcement equipment relating to communication and officer safety. The police department has purchased P25 compliant digital radios for all of the police vehicles and portable radios for the officers. An emergency tool used to end a police pursuit, “Stop Stick,” was purchased for every vehicle.

Officers received new Glock 40 caliber handguns and special lights for these handguns. Three additional tasers were purchased for newly certified officers.

These purchases replace items that were antiquated and in dire need of replacement. This equipment will aid officers in their daily activities and improve safety for the citizens of Brownsville.