Primary Department: Sheriff
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Ed Gonzalez, Sheriff
Secondary Department: N/A
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Supplemental RCA
Type of Request: Grant - Award
Project ID (if applicable):
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): U.S. Department of Justice/Office of the Governor/Criminal Justice Division
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable):
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable):
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): 0%
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): Grantor does not allow indirect cost capture
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request by the Sheriff’s Office for approval to accept from the U.S. Department of Justice/Office of the Governor/Criminal Justice Division grant funds in the amount of $149,875, with no required match, for the FY26 Grappler Devices Grant Project.
end
Background and Discussion:
The purpose of this project is to purchase grappler devices to enhance public safety by reducing high-speed pursuits and minimizing risks to officers and the community. These devices, utilizing modern technology, safely immobilize vehicles by securing the rear axle, allowing law enforcement officers to safely halt pursuits. This approach aims to ensure safer suspect apprehensions, reduce property damage, and improve law enforcement efficiency. High-speed pursuits pose significant risks to officers, the public, and suspects, often resulting in injuries, fatalities, and property damage. Current methods for apprehending fleeing vehicles are limited in their ability to ensure safety and efficiency.
The grant application for this project was approved in Commissioners Court on February 6, 2025. This grant
provides funding for the Sheriff’s Office Patrol Unit to purchase grappler devices. The grant
period is October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026.
Expected Impact:
The approach focuses on deploying grappler devices to enhance public safety and address the risks of high-speed pursuits. This includes equipping patrol cars with the devices, establishing comprehensive department policies and training standards, and conducting extensive training to ensure officers are proficient in their use. Deployment will be strategically prioritized in high-risk areas and among key personnel based on pursuit data. Additionally, ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the devices' effectiveness will guide adjustments to deployment and training, ensuring continuous improvement in pursuit management and public safety outcomes. This grant would enable the Sheriff’s Office to safely and quickly bring suspect vehicles to a stop.
Alternative Options:
Without this grant award, Harris County would forfeit the opportunity to receive grappler devices. There were no alternative options identified.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 1. Make Harris County safer and more just.
County Strategic Plan Objective: A: Reduce violent crime across the County.
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): N/A
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): N/A
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): N/A
Health Initiative (Goal 4): N/A
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): N/A
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan: N/A
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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2/6/2025 |
341 |
Approved grant application |
Location: Countywide
Address (if applicable):
Precinct(s): Choose an item.
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Service Name |
FY 2026 Grappler Devices |
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Current Fiscal Year Cost |
Annual Fiscal Cost |
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Recurring Expenses |
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Funding Sources |
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Total Existing Budget |
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Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form) |
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Total Additional Budget Request |
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Total Funding Sources |
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Grants - Proposed Budget (For Grants Items only) |
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Local Match Source - Existing Budget: Choose an item. |
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1 |
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Local Match Source - Additional Budget Request: Choose an item. |
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Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total) |
$ |
$149,875 |
$149,875.00 |
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Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs) |
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Current Position Count for Service |
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Additional Positions Request |
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Total Personnel |
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Anticipated Court Date: 10/30/2025
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Jacqueline Hernandez, Grant Analyst, Harris County Sheriff’s Office
Attachments (if applicable): Court Order, Notice of Grant award, Budget Template