MONTGOMERY— A $25,000 grant from Gov. Bob Riley will help the Dauphin Island Police Department purchase needed equipment. 

The town will use the funds to purchase Tasers to help police officers safely subdue uncooperative suspects. The grant also will enable the town to buy new guns and ammunition for its officers. A cut in the town’s budget forced officials to cancel earlier plans to purchase the equipment.

“Alabama’s law enforcement officers must have proper equipment in order to protect and serve their communities,” Riley said. “I am pleased to help Dauphin Island obtain new, reliable equipment so its police officers can continue to serve residents effectively.”   

Riley awarded the grant from funds made available to the state by the U.S. Department of Justice. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the award.

Riley notified Mayor Jeff Collier that he had approved the grant. The town committed matching funds of $2,777 toward the equipment purchase.

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Contact: Mike Presley, Larry Childers