AGENDA ITEM NO. 6
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AGENDA STAFF REPORT
City of West Covina | Office of the City Manager
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| DATE: | October 20, 2026 |
TO: |
Mayor and City Council |
FROM: |
Milan Mrakich, City Manager |
SUBJECT: |
CONSIDERATION OF EXPENDITURES OF FISCAL YEAR 2026-27 SUPPLEMENTAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES ACCOUNT FUNDS |
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council approve using Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 Supplemental Law Enforcement Service Account (SLESA) funds totaling $166,284 for the frontline law enforcement supply and service items listed in the staff report.
BACKGROUND:
The Citizens’ Option for Public Safety (COPS) Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Account (SLESA) is a State allocation which, according to California Government Code Section 30061 and 30062, must be used exclusively to fund frontline municipal police services, in accordance with written requests submitted by the Chief of Police. These funds cannot be used to replace or supplant existing funding for law enforcement services, but must instead supplement local funds. This funding was formerly called the Supplemental Law Enforcement Service Fund (SLESF), but was renamed SLESA as part of the realignment program for law enforcement that was enacted along with the State of California 2011 Budget Act.
DISCUSSION:
West Covina’s FY 2026-27 SLESA allocation totals an estimated $166,284. Anticipating the receipt of these funds, which is distributed monthly, the Police Department prioritized a list of unbudgeted frontline police supplies and services for this fiscal year, as listed below. Since the start of this fiscal year, some of these supply and services expenditures have already started.
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- Helicopter support services, under West Covina’s current multi-year agreement with Los Angeles County for these services, totaling an estimated $29,000.
- GPS based surveillance services used by the Special Enforcement Team to track narcotics suspects, totaling an estimated $24,000;
- Specialized ammunition and tactical supplies for the SWAT Team, totaling an estimated $29,500;
- Personal protective supplies including bulletproof vests for newly hired Officers, gas mask cartridges, ballistic helmets, and carrying gear, totaling an estimated $40,500;
- Traffic enforcement supplies, weapons accessories, unmanned aerial system software and accessories, specialized forensic services, and police supplies supporting front line law enforcement, totaling an estimated $43,284.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney's Office has reviewed this staff report.
Prepared by:
Alex B. Houston, Police Executive Administrator
Additional Approval:
Roxanne E. Lerma, Assistant City Manager
Fiscal Impact
FISCAL IMPACT:
Using the State SLESA funds for the frontline law enforcement items described above is in keeping with the legislatively dictated requirements associated with this funding source. Estimated SLESA expenditure and revenue amounts were previously budgeted in Fund 155, so there is no impact to the General Fund.
CITY COUNCIL GOALS & OBJECTIVES:
Protect Public Safety