Authorization to participate in the Minnesota Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO) 1033 program.

For many years the police department has been participating in the Minnesota Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO) 1033 program. The LESO program is administered by MN Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) and was established by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). The program allows law enforcement agencies to obtain surplus military equipment at no cost. All transferred surplus items must have a direct application to the law enforcement agency's arrest and apprehension mission.

The Ramsey Police Department has already received equipment from this program, for example: night vision goggles, backpacks, gear bags, an LRAD speaker system, and an MRAP. The Ramsey Police Department conducts an annual inventory of the items acquired through this program which is a requirement.

In order to continue the police department's participation in the program and follow all requirements, the governing body over the police department (city council) must authorize the Ramsey Police Department's participation.

There is no cost to participate in this program. When an item is acquired from the program, the police department must only pay to ship the item to the police department. There is no cost to continue to possess the items.

Staff recommends the city council authorize the police department's participation in the LESO 1033 program. This authorization allows the police department to meet all requirements of the program.

Motion to adopt Resolution #21-263 authorizing continued participation in the Minnesota Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO) 1033 program.