Missouri City could create a crisis intervention team if awarded a U.S. Department of Justice grant.

Zooming in

At a May 20 meeting, Missouri City City Council approved submitting an application for a Community Oriented Policing Services, or COPS, Promoting Access to Crisis Teams Grant to fund creating a crisis intervention team for two years.

If awarded, the grant will provide $282,517 over two years to embed mental and behavioral health services within the police department to better respond to individuals in crisis, according to agenda documents.

“This is an amazing opportunity for us right now,” Recognition and Compliance Coordinator Rachel Murray said. “We would request funds for two contract therapists for the community, each working about 20 hours a week.”

Also on the agenda

City Council also approved submitting an application for another COPS Hiring Grant, which could provide two additional police officer positions for a three-year period, one of which must be a veteran, Murray said.

The program will provide a $224,930 match for the positions with COPS providing:

• 45% match at $101,873 for the first year
• 43% match at $76,086 for the second year
• 20% match at $46,970 for the third year

Following the conclusion of the third year, Missouri City must take over the full amount of both positions for at least one year, according to agenda documents.

What else?

Fort Bend County commissioners also approved submitting a COPS Hiring Grant for an additional 20 patrol deputies at a May 28 Commissioners Court meeting.

If awarded, the grant will fund $1.29 million with a 25%, or $432,961, match by the county, according to agenda documents.

Looking ahead

The expected award date for the grant is Oct. 1. If selected, the grant will run from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, 2026, according to agenda documents.