Police, sheriff's departments receive grant

September 1, 2010

Two Starkville and Oktibbeha County law enforcement agencies will receive a funding boost from the federal government for equipment purchases
The Starkville Police Department and Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Department are among those sharing 20 grants worth more than $630,000 that have been approved to help city and county law enforcement agencies in Mississippi upgrade law enforcement equipment, U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., announced Wednesday.
The grants to Mississippi police and sheriffs’ departments represent formula grant funding provided through the DOJ Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program.
“Each of these grants is intended to assist law enforcement in Mississippi to fight illegal activities, promote public safety and prosecute crimes. The Byrne grant program is designed to meet the specific needs of cities and counties,” Cochran said.
The SPD and OCSD are splitting $11,885 in funds, which will be used to purchase tasers for police officers and sheriff’s deputies, according to a statement from Cochran’s office.
Lowndes County is the only other government entity in close proximity to Starkville to receive JAG funding.
That county was awarded more than $19,808 to replace outdated equipment, according to Cochran’s office.