Senate Locks Down $5.5 Million for DE Police Departments

Washington, DC- In the face of stiff competition and a shrinking federal budget, U.S. Senator Tom Carper announced today that he helped secure $5.5 million in federal funds to help Delaware police departments acquire new equipment and upgrade communications capabilities. The funds were included in the Omnibus Appropriations bill passed by the Senate and will help provide state and local law enforcement officers with some of the latest technologies, protective gear and communications equipment needed to do their jobs. “We must ensure that, at the end of their shifts, law enforcement officers can return home safely to their families. This funding will go a long way to meet that goal,” Carper said. Specifically, the provisions Senator Carper authored include: $1.5 million for the Delaware State Police to upgrade communications and video capabilities, purchase a real-time x-ray machine, and portable receivers; $2.5 million for the New Castle County Police Department to purchase a new records management system, laptop computers, handheld devices for officers, and new surveillance equipment; $1.5 million for the Wilmington Police Department to purchase surveillance cameras, metal detectors, and protective suits for officers responding to hazardous materials incidents; The bill must now go to conference with the House. It is expected that the bill will then be sent to the President to be signed into law.