The city police department recently applied to receive national funds to purchase new equipment.

The police submitted a grant last week for funding through the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance Recovery Act. The grant’s official title is the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Formula Program, and the request is for about $20,900.

If the grant is approved, the funds will go toward replacing older models of Smith and Western firearms, which need to be repaired but are no longer in manufacture, said Deputy Chief Brad Conner.

The request includes funding for 48 guns, 43 off-duty holsters and 32 gun-mounting tactical lights, which will be used by officers who go into poorly lit areas, Conner said.

The total cost of the equipment is around $38,000, although that won’t be the cost to the city, Conner said.

Along with the possible $20,900 grant, the city police will trade in their curent equipment for about $16,755. The rest of the $38,000 cost for the new equipment will be picked up by the city.

‘When all is said and done, the city of Bowling Green will have to come up with $164.32,’ Conner said.

The city police department worked with both local and state officials to help secure the money.

Money had already been geted for the equipment,’ said John Quinn, mayor of Bowling Green. The grant will help save the city while still getting new equipment for the police.

‘With the financial condition we may have had to cut the equipment out of the budget, but the grant allows us to get the equipment anyway,’ Quinn said.

The city police also have the support of Robert Latta, U.S. Rep. for Bowling Green.

Latta will write a letter supporting the request of funds for the equipment to the U.S. Department of Justice, who will be providing the money if the funding is approved, said David Popp, press secretary for congressman Latta.

‘Congressman Latta will be penning a letter of support to help the department with their application,’ Popp said.