Sheriff gets grant to offset new state law impacts

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office tapped into a grant opportunity through a state agency to get money intended to help offset impacts on local law enforcement from the passage of state laws last year that put restrictions on how police use force.

Sheriff Wade Magers said that one such law, ESSHB 1310 addressed use of physical force, deadly force and less lethal alternatives such as de-escalation tactics.

In response, the Washington State Department of Commerce asked for proposals from law enforcement agencies to procure “less-than-lethal” equipment.

“Because of the grant opportunity, my office applied for the less than lethal equipment to assist my deputies in their duties,” Magers said in a news release last week.

It was a competitive grant with significant requirements, Magers said, but his office was awarded the highest amount among the 24 agencies that applied, $148,138.

The awards ranged from that amount down to $6,853, Magers said.

Magers said his office would acquire three new less-than-lethal devices with the money: aTaser 7, a BOLA Wrap and pepperball launchers.

“It is important to point out that each tool has a use, depending on the circumstances and totality of the incident,” the sheriff said. “The deputies will be well trained on the use of these devices, which is also covered with the grant funds.”

“This was a team effort and involved many hours applying, securing bids, attending demonstrations, and assuring the equipment met the guidelines of the grant,” the sheriff reports. “The entire administrative team was involved in the process, and the hard work paid off.”

The sheriff’s office was notified of the award Oct. 25, 2021.