Georgia Southern University Police Department Awarded $10,000 Grant

June 15, 2011

Georgia Southern University’s Police Department has been awarded a $10,000 grant by the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS).  The grant will be used to purchase equipment designed to improve traffic and officer safety.

“We are very pleased to have been awarded a grant by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety,” said Mike Russell, director of the department of public safety and chief of the Georgia Southern University Police Department.  “This grant allows us to purchase equipment that we would otherwise not have been able to purchase.  This is a win-win-win.  It’s a win for Georgia, Georgia Southern University and for our students.”

Russell said the department will use the funds to purchase their first in-car video systems.  The two new systems will be installed next month.

“We are very excited to be able to purchase and install in-car video systems in two of our patrol vehicles,” said Russell.  “The new systems will not only serve as an additional safety measure for officers, but will help us corroborate stories, document sequences of events and reinforce professional conduct and accountability.”

In addition to the in-car video systems, University Police will also purchase several flashlights, additional batteries and chargers for officers.  The batteries and chargers will improve officer productivity and allow them to increase their patrol time by decreasing return trips to the department when batteries lose their charge.