To: Board of Supervisors
From: David O. Livingston, Sheriff-Coroner
Report Title: Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) Equipment and Training Program FY 2025-2026
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Ratify the County Administrator’s approval of the Office of the Sheriff’s submission of a one-time grant in the amount of $897,915 with the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) as the designated State Administering Agency for the U.S. Department of Justice Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, and ADOPT a Resolution authorizing the Sheriff-Coroner, or designee, to apply for and accept this grant funding, subject to compliance with certifications on behalf of the Office of the Sheriff, the District Attorney’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office, and the Probation Department, for the JAG Equipment and Training Program, for support of countywide law enforcement programs, prosecution and court programs, prevention and education programs, drug treatment and enforcement programs, mental health programs and related law enforcement and corrections programs, for the period October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Approval of this request will result in up to $897,915 in one-time revenue and will be funded 100% by Federal funds. There is no required County match and any departmental costs above the grant award amount, including those beyond the grant funding period, will be absorbed by the respective participating department and within their existing allocations. There will be no County backfill.
The following departments met to discuss this one-time non-competitive grant opportunity and agreed upon the funding split of up to $200,000 for each, with the exception of the Sheriff’s Office. The Office of the Sheriff’s allocation includes additional funding for serving as the Lead Public Agency (LPA) to serve as coordinator for all grant activities including grant management and administration, for the Edward Byrne Memorial Grant Equipment and Training Program. The additional allocation will cover management and administration costs of the grant, including personnel and operational costs directly related to grant management. (AL #16.738)
The participating County Departments and grant budgets are as follows:
Office of the Sheriff’s Allocation: $330,920
District Attorney’s Office Allocation: $200,000
Probation Department’s Allocation: $176,507
Public Defender’s Allocation: $190,488
Total grant award: $897,915
BACKGROUND:
The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program is the primary provider of federal criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. The JAG Equipment and Training Program Grant provides states, tribes, and local governments with critical funding necessary to support a range of program areas including law enforcement, prosecution, indigent defense, courts, crime prevention and education, corrections and community corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, planning, evaluation, technology improvement, and crime victim and witness initiatives and mental health programs and related law enforcement and corrections programs, including behavioral programs and crisis intervention teams.
Office of the Sheriff:
The Office of the Sheriff is proposal to the Board and State of Community Corrections (BSCC) Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) a grant award for the purchase of three patrol vehicles dedicated to the Mental Health Evaluation Team (MHET). MHET pairs a specialty trained deputy with a Licensed mental health clinician to conduct follow-up visits with individuals who have recently experienced a mental health crisis or related issues. These contacts are critical in connecting individuals to appropriate services, reducing repeat crises, and enhancing public safety. Dedicated patrol vehicles will ensure MHET teams have reliable transportation and the specialized tools they need to respond effectively. Having assigned vehicles will also increase efficiency and allow for rapid deployment when follow-up or crisis intervention is needed. Grant funds will fully cover the purchase and outfitting of these vehicles, directly enhancing the Office of the Sheriff’s ability to respond to mental health-related calls and improving outcomes for individuals and the community.
District Attorney’s Office:
Since the passage of the Racial Justice Act, codified in Penal Code Section 745, there has been a clear need for analytical support to evaluate fairness in prosecutorial practices and to effectively respond to litigation brought under the RJA, which predominantly involves challenges in the prosecution of violent crimes. Sicuro Analytics will provide innovative software to deliver the critical statistical analysis and reporting required by the RJA.
Accurate and comprehensive case data with a case management system is essential for evaluating trends, improving case processing, and ensuring the equitable administration of justice. Currently, much of this information is stored across fragmented systems that are difficult to access and analyze. Without the ability to collect and evaluate case-level data in a structured and timely manner, efforts to advance equity and accountability remain limited.
Sicuro Analytics offers the expertise and tools to obtain, verify, and analyze case-related data. A specialized data solutions provider, Sicuro’s software provides for secure data management and aggregated statistical analysis. Their services will enable the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office (CCCDAO) to transform raw case data on violent crime prosecution into actionable insights that strengthen public safety outcomes, improve operational efficiency, and enhance accountability.
Through this software, CCCDAO will gain the capacity to analyze violent crime offender data to ensure fair and equitable treatment in prosecutorial decision-making. These analyses will also allow the Office to respond accurately and efficiently to Racial Justice Act litigation.
Sicuro Analytics’ software will enable the District Attorney’s Offices to:
- Analyze violent crime and offender data to promote fairness in prosecutorial decision making;
- Rapidly and accurately respond to Racial Justice Act litigation;
- Enhance internal decision-making through data-driven insights;
- Provide stakeholders with accurate, unbiased information; and
- Fulfill PC 745 data discovery requests with precision and efficiency.
This project aligns with the goals of the JAG program and the priorities of the BSCC by advancing data driven strategies to improve the fairness, effectiveness, and efficiency of the justice system. By leveraging Sicuro Analytics’ expertise, the District Attorney’s Office will be able to strengthen transparency, demonstrate measurable outcomes, and enhance services to the community.
Probation Department:
The Contra Costa County Probation Department is applying for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Equipment and Training Program, Program Purpose Area 1: Law Enforcement Program. If awarded, the Department intends to utilize the funds to support a critical mental health training initiative and acquire essential equipment to enhance both officer and community safety. Through this combination of evidence-based training and safety-enhancing equipment, the Contra Costa County Probation Department will strengthen its capacity to serve the community, protect staff, and safeguard clients.
A portion of the grant funds will be allocated to implement a department-wide Crisis Intervention and Behavioral Health training. This training will be delivered by Embassy Consulting Services and will be made available to all sworn and non-sworn personnel. The curriculum will address topics such as mental illness, stigma, substance use disorders, developmental disabilities, and related areas. The training is designed to
strengthen staff knowledge, reduce stigma, and equip officers with strategies to respond effectively and safely during encounters involving individuals in crisis.
ln addition to the training initiative, the Department seeks to purchase three TruNarc devices to expand its existing inventory. TruNarc devices are portable analyzers that rapidly identify suspected narcotics without the need to open containers. This technology has significantly improved officer safety by reducing potential exposure to highly dangerous substances such as fentanyl while simultaneously enhancing operational efficiency in both field and custodial settings. The acquisition of additional devices will further reduce risks to staff and clients, while improving the accuracy and timeliness of narcotics detection.
Public Defender’s Office:
The Contra Costa County Public Defender’s Office (CCPD) is requesting state funding for five vehicles to support the work of the Department’s Client Services Unit (CSU). The CSU is currently comprised of 18 team members, including Forensic Social Workers and Client Services Specialists. The staff currently share 6 county vehicles through a pooled car system. This limited access to transportation restricts their ability to engage in timely, consistent fieldwork. Staff frequently encounter situations in which vehicles are unavailable, delaying critical services and reducing our capacity to respond effectively to client needs. CSU team members travel throughout the county and beyond to perform essential duties, including meeting with clients in custodial facilities, hospitals, and state institutions, as well as transporting clients to court appearances, residential treatment programs, and other services throughout the Bay Area and across California. Reliable access to vehicles is necessary not only to maintain the quality and consistency of client care but also to ensure staff can perform their jobs safely and efficiently.
Due to the short grant notification of award to grant submission deadline turnaround period, the request for the Board’s approval could not be submitted sooner. To ensure the County did not miss this one-time non-competitive funding allocation, the County Administrator approved the submission of the grant application by the Monday, September 8, 2025 deadline.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If the Board does not approve, the Office of the Sheriff would be unable to apply for and accept the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (JAG) Equipment and Training Program FY 2025-2026 Grant on behalf of itself, the District Attorney’s Office, the Probation Department, and the Public Defender’s Office.
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
and for Special Districts, Agencies and Authorities Governed by the Board
IN THE MATTER OF Applying for and Accepting the U.S. Department of Justice, Edward Bryne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Equipment and Training Program FY 2025-2026;
WHEREAS, the County of Contra Costa is seeking funds available through the U.S. Department of Justice, with the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) as the designated State Administering Agency for the JAG Program;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County does hereby authorize the Sheriff-Coroner, Undersheriff, or the Sheriff’s Chief of Management Services, as the designated lead agency for the County, to execute for and on behalf of the County of Contra Costa, a public entity established under the laws of the State of California, any actions necessary for the purpose of obtaining Federal financial assistance, including grant modifications and extensions, provided by the U.S. Department of Justice, and sub-granted through the State of California related to the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Equipment and Training Program FY 2025-2026.