IONIA — The Ionia County Sheriff’s Workplace plans to buy new uniforms ranging in coloration from brown to black, in addition to body-worn cameras for every member of the street patrol employees.
The Ionia County Board of Commissioners voted 6-0 at its January 17 assembly to permit the Ionia County Sheriff’s Workplace to buy new uniforms for street patrol and correctional personnel. The associated fee is roughly $71,000, which incorporates every thing required in collective bargaining agreements for all unions.
Ionia County Sheriff’s Deputy Andrew Bucholtz instructed commissioners that the price of uniforms has elevated over the previous few years and has turn into tougher to keep up. He famous that Michigan is considered one of three states nonetheless carrying the brown uniform, which has resulted in a restricted provide. Bucholtz stated it could value about $1,000 to equip a brand new MP for brown uniforms.
Most states have moved to completely different model uniforms that embrace an outer vest, Bucholtz stated. The brand new, black uniform will assist MPs higher distribute the burden of apparatus usually carried by a waist belt.
“Switching to this uniform will save the county a major amount of cash over time,” Bucholtz stated.
Extra:Ionia County Sheriff’s Office handled more than 8,000 incidents in 2022
The associated fee contains $32,300 devoted to buying new bulletproof vests. Bucholtz stated the ministry’s bulletproof vests will expire this 12 months.
The Ionia County Sheriff’s Workplace utilized for a Bulletproof Vest Partnership grant by way of the U.S. Division of Justice, offering funding it receives each 5 years to switch vests. If the grant is authorised, it can cowl 40-50 p.c of the price of new vests and reimburse the county between $13,000 and $16,000. Bucholtz believes the brand new uniforms will assist entice new expertise to the company.
Deputy Michael Richards and Enforcement Officer Jennifer Little attended Tuesday’s assembly to mannequin the black uniforms.
“This is essential to our folks,” Bucholtz stated. “That is one thing that has been in entrance of their brains for years.”
Commissioners additionally voted 6-0 to approve progress on the Sheriff’s Workplace’s Physique Worn Digicam venture and buy a physique worn digicam bundle from Motorola Options for $74,160.
Final August, ICSO received a Small/Rural/Tribal Grant to finance the project. The entire value of the match grant comes as much as $75,850 with a share of $37,925. Bucholtz stated ICSO tried three completely different body-worn cameras and selected Motorola’s bundle.
The grant will reimburse $37,080 of the entire value. Each officer within the division’s street patrol division can have a body-worn digicam provided on to them and might want to cost and keep it, Bucholtz stated.
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Bucholtz stated the 24 cameras shall be changed each 5 years. New charging stations shall be despatched each three years. There are sufficient cameras to cowl a whole street patrol part with three backups.
“Motorola’s optics are nice,” Bucholtz stated. “It is an incredible digicam.”
The commissioners additionally voted 6-0 to approve a two-year contract with Shoreline Cleaners to proceed dry cleansing companies for ICSO.
— Contact reporter Evan Sasiela at: Esasiela@sentinel-standard.com. observe him on twitter @SalsaEvan.
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